‘Reckless and catastrophic’: Major update after woman killed in drive-by shooting at home in Ambarvale, Sydney

Neighbours have recounted the shocking moment a woman was killed in what police say was a “targeted” drive-by shooting at a home in Sydney’s southwest.

Neighbours have recounted the shocking moment a woman was killed in what police say was a “targeted” drive-by shooting at a home in Sydney’s southwest.

The 65-year-old woman was shot in the leg when someone in an unknown vehicle sprayed bullets into a home on Dickens Rd, Ambarvale at about 11pm on Monday.

The woman was treated by police and paramedics but died at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest up to three people got out of a dark-coloured sedan, then fired several shots at the house and fled.

The car has not been found, and police are now seeking any information which may lead to its whereabouts.

A woman has been killed in a drive-by shooting in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Police believe the incident was targeted. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Neighbours reported hearing disturbances from the house prior to the shooting.

Grandmother Louise Hoser heard the flurry of bullets on Monday night.

“Late last night I heard the gunshots - I wasn’t aware that that’s what it was at the time,” she told NewsWire.

“It was a very crisp sound, there was no echo.

“It was just gunshot, gunshot, gunshot.”

Ms Hoser heard more than five shots go off, and said there were “enough to get your attention when you are watching telly”.

She said she did not fear for her safety as her family has lived in the area for some time.

“We’re quite resilient, we’ve been living here for some time,” she said.

“It’s certainly something you wouldn’t want to say we’re conditioned to but…it’s just…these things seem to be happening a lot more often.

Police do not believe the 65-year-old woman was the intended target of the shooting. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“There are so many more things in the world that we need to be worrying about, then fighting amongst each other.”

However, she was still emotionally confronted by the incident.

“This poor elderly woman, this isn’t how she thought her day was going to end,” Ms Hoser said.

“It’s just sad…there’s some really beautiful people who live around here.”

Police say it was believed to be a targeted attack, and that people at the home were known to police.

The 65-year-old has not been confirmed as the target of the attack. A 34-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were also in the home at the time of the incident.

All three are now being investigated by police.

Neighbours reported hearing disturbances from the house before the shooting. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

NSW Police have confirmed the surviving pair initially co-operated with police, though investigators were trying to “work with them to get some more information”.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Superintendent Grant Healey described the shooting as “abhorrent”.

“It’s totally reckless and the consequences are catastrophic,” he said.

“We have a 65-year-old grandmother that’s been shot in the leg by people who walked up and shot her at her house.”

Detectives remove a body at the scene of a drive-by shooting in Ambarvale. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Police made a public appeal to neighbours in the area with CCTV and any information to assist the ongoing investigation.

Homicide detectives have launched an investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Neighbours paid tribute to the 65-year-old woman. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Originally published as ‘Reckless and catastrophic’: Major update after woman killed in drive-by shooting at home in Ambarvale, Sydney