Residents terrified after man shot to death in ‘targeted’ attack

Terrified residents have told of hearing multiple shots fired near their homes after a man was killed in Doonside overnight.

Residents were left shaken after a man was shot multiple times in Sydney’s west overnight.

Police are now investigating the “targeted” shooting, after they were called to a home in Meridian Place in Doonside about 7.30pm last night.

There they found a man who had suffered a number of gun shots. The man, 51, was treated by paramedics from NSW Ambulance, but he died at the scene.

The deceased man was Craig Anderson, allegedly an ice dealer, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Distressed looking neighbours and friends could be seen pacing the lawn of the home, covering their faces following the death.

Police established a crime scene at the residence in Doonside and are continuing their investigation into the fatal shooting. Inquiries are being conducted by the Blacktown Police Area Command and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Five men have now been arrested, aged 44, 29, 28, 27, and 22. They were arrested shortly after, during vehicle stops in the St Marys area.

The 44-year-old and 28-year-old were taken to St Marys Police Station and the other three were taken to Penrith Police Station. The five men arrested are assisting police with continued inquiries

“The shooting is believed to be targeted,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Police at the scene of a shooting this evening in Meridian Place, Doonside. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Police at the scene of a shooting this evening in Meridian Place, Doonside. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A neighbour and friend said she knew something was going to happen to Mr Anderson, despite him being “respected”.

“I ran over and found him the in the lounge room, with gunshots,” the neighbour told Today.

“I actually knew something like this was bound to happen to him, but he was good bloke and he has done a lot for a lot of people. He was well respected this fella.”

Mr Anderson was previously arrested in the Doonside area during drug raids, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Neighbours posted on Facebook about hearing up to three gunshots and up to a dozen emergency vehicles storming through the neighbouring streets to the scene.

One residents commented, “I don’t think Doonside (is) safe anymore.”

Another said the suburb had unfortunately “gone down”. She said good people lived there, despite the area having a “bad name”.