Six arrested after underground carpark shooting in Campsie

Six men have been charged over their alleged link to a failed carpark assassination in Sydney’s southwest last year.

Six men who worked together as carpenters have been arrested for allegedly being “guns for hire” on the side in a failed underworld hit.

Vailena Koloamatangi, 27, was left fighting for life in hospital after a gunman opened fire as he got into a car in the unit carpark of an apartment block on Canterbury Rd at Campsie, in Sydney’s south west, shortly after 9.20pm on September 12 last year.

An investigation by the Drug and Firearms Squad led to the arrest of six men - Antonio Rizk, 22, Joshua Rizk, 19, Jayden Sassine, 20, Marc Challita, 19, Joseph Wakim, 18 and Sulaiman Ahmad, 18 - in recent days over their alleged involvement in the shooting.

NSW Police Detective Superintendent John Watson said it would be alleged the men they had arrested were recruited to play various roles in the attack on Koloamatangi, but said the gunman and chief organiser remained on the run.

“They were a well established [and] well organised group and we will be alleging that they were conducting reconnaissance of the victim, in the days and weeks leading up to the shooting,” Det Supt Watson said.

“It was quite obvious to us that their motive was profit driven.

“We know there are others, and up to probably eight people are involved in this particular cell [including the organiser and gunman] and we are closing in on their whereabouts.”

Incredible CCTV footage shows a masked man armed with two guns opening fire on Koloamatangi up to 12 times from close range, as he got into the front seat of his car.

His friend Ahmed Ezai who was sitting in the car next to him managed to run as the shots began to ring out and luckily avoided injury, before the gunman fled the scene in a white Mercedes.

Koloamatangi has since made a full recovery.

A man fired two guns up to 12 times at the victim. Picture: NSW Police

Three burnt-out stolen cars, including the Mercedes, were found on fire in the nearby suburbs of Kingsgrove, Berala and Birrong a short time after the shooting, before in the days that followed another two stolen burnt-out cars were found in Agnes Banks and West Pennant Hills.

He quickly fled the scene in a getaway car. Picture: NSW Police

Vailena Koaloamatangi was shot at Campsie last year. Picture: Channel 7

Investigations under Strike Force Faux established all five burnt-out cars were used as getaway cars in the shooting by up to seven people.

Last week, police released CCTV of the incident and white Mercedes fleeing the scene, as well as a construction company truck being used as part of the staging of the vehicles with necessary jerry cans on September 9 last year in Greystanes.

Five getaway cars were torched. Picture: NSW Police

Several vehicles were torched after the shooting. Picture: NSW Police

Following extensive inquiries, both firearms used in the shooting have been recovered and forensically examined.

On Thursday, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad searched a property in North Parramatta shortly before 5.30am where they arrested Joshua Rizk, 19.

Crime scenes were established at all of the burnt-out vehicle scenes. Picture: NSW Police

One of the many getaway cars used in the shooting. Picture: NSW Police

Antonio Rizk, 22, was arrested nearby in Granville a short time later.

Detectives located and seized two gel blasters, two replica revolvers, two crossbows, a butterfly knife, knuckle dusters and 37 grams of a white powder during the search of the North Parramatta property.

Joshua Rizk was taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol.

He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on February 29.

Police recovered several weapons during the property searches. Picture: NSW Police Force

Two replica revolvers were seized. Picture: NSW Police Force

Antonio Rizk was taken to Merrylands Police Station where he was charged with eight offences including shoot at with intent to murder, six counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without a permit and participate in criminal group.

He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on February 1, 2024.

Simultaneous to the first warrant, strike force detectives executed a search warrant in Merrylands where they arrested Jayden Sassine.

Butterfly knives and other items police uncovered. Picture: NSW Police Force

Six men were charged throughout the raids last week. Photo: NSW Police Force

At the home, detectives located and seized electronics, cannabis and over $3,000 cash.

The 20-year-old was taken to Merrylands Police Station, where he was charged with destroy property in company use fire etc >$5000.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on March 1.

At the same time, detectives searched a property in Greystanes and arrested Marc Challita.

During a search of the property, police located and seized a small amount of cannabis, clothing relevant to the investigation and a gel blaster.

They were hit with various charges and remain before the courts. Picture: NSW Police Force

Investigations under Strike Force Faux continue. Picture: NSW Police

The 19-year-old was taken to Merrylands Police Station where he was charged with shoot at with intent to murder, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, destroy etc property in company use fire etc >$5000 and participate in a criminal group.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on March 1.

Just before 7.30am the same day, officers arrested Joseph Wakim at Merrylands Police Station, where he was charged with destroy or damage property in company use fire etc >$5000.

The 18-year-old was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on March 1.

Koaloamatangi was left fighting for life after he was shot in the head and chest in Campsie last year. PICTURE: TNV

Following further inquiries, a 19-year-old man was transferred from a correctional centre in Silverwater to Riverstone Police Station shortly after 8am on Tuesday, where he is expected to be charged with deliberately destroy/damage property by fire in company.

At the time of the shooting, a resident of the apartment complex said he was watching a movie with his partner when he heard a loud bang from the underground car park.

NSW Police tape off the crime scene after the shooting last year. Picture: TNV

“I heard a bang but my missus said she heard three,” he said at the time.

“It was a different sound, a basement noise. I didn’t think it would be a shooting.

“I saw fire crews and just thought it was a little fire.”

The man said police were blocking entrances to the B2 and B1 underground car parks where blood was scattered.

“I think it happened on B1. There was blood there last night.

“It’s normal these days (shootings) but I didn’t think it would happen there, it’s weird.”

Investigations under Strike Force Faux continue.

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Originally published as Six arrested after underground carpark shooting in Campsie