‘Very concerned’: Target of Sydney gym shooting identified as former gang member Steve Hallaby
The target of a brazen daylight shooting in southwest Sydney was a former Assyrian gang member, who was ambushed as he was leaving a busy gym, according to police.
The target of a brazen daylight shooting in southwest Sydney was a former Assyrian gang member, who was ambushed as he was leaving a busy gym, according to police.
Former member of the True Kings gang and pro-boxer Steve Hallaby was leaving the Gregory Hills World Gym on Friday morning when two gunmen allegedly pulled up, ran toward him and fired up to nine shots.
Shock vision captured the moment Hallaby was ambushed at 8.35am.
The vision shows him standing next to his Ute texting when two gunmen unleash a flurry of bullets at him.
He runs out of frame, dodging the shots, as the two gunmen chase after him.
Several bullets flew into the gym and neighbouring Service NSW office where staff and customers were forced to take cover.
“I saw two people with balaclavas on their heads with handguns. They were running towards Service NSW and fired about six to eight shots,” one witness said.
“Pretty shocked at the start. I didn’t really know what it was.
“I thought it was firecrackers at the start, and then I actually saw the people coming. And I was like, ‘Okay, so that’s gunfire.’ So I kind of yelled to the people in store to just get inside and hide.”
Police sources confirmed Hallaby was the intended target of the bungled hit and fled the gym in a white Toyota Hilux immediately after.
Detective Chief Inspector Gretchen Atkins confirmed police had spoken with Hallaby, and that he was not assisting with inquiries at this time.
She said the man had an “extensive history” with police.
A photo of one of the gunmen was captured immediately following the attack, showing him holding a silver pistol.
The shooter was wearing an orange-hi-vis vest over the top of a black hoodie.
His face was disguised by a balaclava, while he also wore a pair of fluoro green gloves.
Chief inspector Atkins said given how busy the carpark and shopping precinct was at the time, it was lucky no one had been killed.
”We are very, very fortunate no person was injured,” she said.
“Police are very concerned anytime people are running around with firearms and intentionally endangering the lives of people in the community.
“We are working very hard and tirelessly to identify these people and to remove firearms from the street.”
The shooting comes just six days after Mal Seve, 28, was shot dead when Taine Crompton, 25, allegedly opened fire in broad daylight on Carinya St in Blacktown last Friday.
Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Very concerned’: Target of Sydney gym shooting identified as former gang member Steve Hallaby
