Man charged after shooting inside Sydney law firm building

A gunman who allegedly shot a man in dramatic scenes at a Sydney office has been charged, as the identity of the victim is revealed.

Police have charged a 79-year-old man with intent to murder after he allegedly gunned down a solicitor in a dramatic daytime shooting that caused part of Sydney’s CBD to be shut down.

Solicitor Van Cooney, 77, was allegedly shot in the groin at his offices Van Cooney Lawyers after the alleged gunman accessed the building in Castlereagh Street via the lift at around 12.50pm on Wednesday.

Heroic officer workers, which incredibly included Mr Cooney, managed to hold down the alleged gunman until police arrived.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the alleged shooter asked for Mr Cooney by name before shooting him.

Police allege the shooter was carrying a bag with a sawn off M1 carbine semi-automatic rifle inside and a holding pistol. “Five or six brave employees” detained the alleged shooter, police say.

The alleged shooter, 79, was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station.

He was charged overnight with intent to murder, two counts of acquire pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order, two counts of possess loaded firearm endanger life non-public place, and two counts of possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.

He was refused bail to face Downing Street Local Court today.

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Mr Cooney was rushed to hospital after being shot inside an office block in Sydney’s CBD. Picture: On Scene Bondi

Emergency services were called to the building on Castlereagh Street in the Sydney CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

His alleged victim is in a stable condition in hospital.

In an update provided at 2pm on Wednesday, Inspector David El Badawi said at least 40 officers responded after initial reports claimed multiple people had been shot.

“Police attended the scene within three minutes,” he said.

Mr El Badawi said that a small calibre semi-automatic pistol was used in the shooting. He said police did not yet know the relationship between the alleged gunman and the victim.

Mr El Badawi also refuted claims that gun crime in Sydney has increased.

“I don’t believe gun crime has gone up. This is an isolated shooting; we don’t believe it’s connected to any outlaw motorcycle gangs or any gang warfare or anything like that,” he said.

“It’s still in the early stages of the investigation, but I can rule that out.”

Police are blocking the entrance to the office block, which houses multiple law firms and the Greek Consulate. Picture: Supplied

A man has been taken to hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

A member of public, who was in the area at the time, said the scene was “crazy”.

“I suddenly saw so many cop cars and police running as quick as they could towards a building. Some with bullet proof vests on and then even plain clothes police. Then ambulances started arriving,” they told news.com.au.

Local business owner Jasmine told 2GB she assumed the shooting was roadworks.

“It’s pretty scary and nerve-wracking to be honest,” she told the radio station.

“We all just thought it was typical roadblocks, something might have just casually happened. We’re all a little shaken up to hear there’s a possible shooting.”

Facebook user Mark Anthony Bray posted video of the scene to his social media.

“Something is going down big time,” he wrote.

“I’ve [never] seen that many cops.”