Notorious nuptials go ahead despite drive-by bodyguard shooting

AS JOHN Ibrahim’s loyal bodyguard “Tongan Sam” lay in hospital with a bullet wound in his back, rumours swirled of families at war.

THE pavement outside was scrawled with the words “Sam + Aisha 18.11.17”, and the groom wore torn pants.

As the bodyguard of notorious Sydney nightclub identity John Ibrahim lay in hospital after taking a bullet in his back, and rumours swirled that it was a bid to stop the nuptials, the wedding joining the notorious Ibrahim and Mehajer families went ahead regardless.

On Saturday night, Ibrahim’s nephew Hassan Sam Sayour and controversial former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer’s sister, Aisha, tied the knot after police searched the Merrylands home for clues to the shooting of loyal bodyguard Semi “Tongan Sam” Ngata less than a day earlier.

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Salim Mehajer with sister Aisha. A Mehajer family spokesman denied suggestions of a falling-out between there Mehajer and Ibrahim families. Picture: Supplied

The wedding was mere metres away from the scene of the shooting, an act police described as a “brazen and targeted” attack.

Sources today told news.com.au Ngata was hit when he reacted to move into the path of the bullet to protect the bride-to-be. The source claimed it was meant to be a “warning shot”.

Ngata remains in Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition, and it’s understood he has undergone surgery.

The shooting, in the backyard of Ibrahim’s mother’s home on Friday night saw the nuptials take place against a backdrop of security, a bikie presence and police, once forensics had left.

Wedding ceremony preparations in the backyard. Picture: Steve Tyson

The bride and grooms names scrawled on the footpath outside the Merrylands home. Picture: Steve Tyson

One police source told The Sunday Telegraph that among the theories being investigated was that opposition to the wedding could be at the centre of the shooting.

A spokesman for Mehajer denied any suggestion of a falling-out between the two notorious families.

The attack was “certainly brazen. We believe that the attack is certainly not random,” Inspector Bradfield Peters told reporters at Merrylands Police Station.

As guests arrived for the wedding on Saturday evening, marked and unmarked police vehicles patrolled the area for fear of further violence during the nuptials, AAP reported.

Luxury cars lined the streets surrounding the houses during what appeared to be a low-key event.

Just married: Hassan Sam Sayour and Aisha. Source: Instagram/@anitta_adattini

A photo of the happy couple released by another of the Mehajer sisters, Kat Sakalaki, showed Aisha in a lace-topped off-the-shoulder white bridal dress, smiling next to her new husband, who is wearing a white shirt, light blue jacket, and dark jeans with a rip in one knee.

Snapchat picture of wedding of Aisha Mehajer and Sam Sayour. Picture: Supplied

A man pushes media back at the house where Tongan Same was shot as guests arrive Saturday’s wedding. Picture: Troy Snook

FELLED BY A BULLET

Ngata, 59, was felled by a bullet at 10.45pm Friday as preparations for the wedding continued in the backyard of Ibrahim’s childhood home.

It’s believed Ngata, who lives nearby, was helping set up tables and chairs.

Insp. Peters said the gunman may have snuck onto the property through a side fence before firing the shot in the backyard.

A car was set alight in nearby Rees Street at Mays Hill shortly after the attack, however a police spokeswoman said no link had been confirmed.

Tongan Sam and John Ibrahim. It’s understood Ibrahim was by his loyal bodyguard’s side at hospital on Saturday. Picture: News Corp.

Ngata has been a long-time trusted bodyguard of the Ibrahim family and was described in Mr Ibrahim’s autobiography, released this year, as “the last of his kind: the old-school real tough men”.

“Even blood couldn’t make us closer,” Mr Ibrahim wrote.

His brothers, Fadi and Michael, and his son, Daniel, are currently before the NSW courts accused of being involved in an international tobacco and drug-smuggling conspiracy.

Ibrahim’s model girlfriend, Sarah Budge, is facing firearms and ammunition charges following a series of organised raids and arrests across Sydney and the United Arab Emirates in August.

The Merrylands house has been the site of several drive-by shootings, including that of Ibrahim’s older brother Sam, who was shot standing in the driveway in 2011.

It was also raided this year as part of the August police operations, with officers recovering a handgun, but no charges were laid.

The home in Price St, Merrylands has been the site of several drive-by shootings. Picture: Steve Tyson