By Laura Chung and Daniella White
A park in Sydney’s west, a blond-haired man and luxury cars could hold the keys to two unsolved gangland killings.
Police believe either contract killers or people searching for a quick dollar may be behind last year’s shootings of underworld figures Mejid Hamzy, 44, and Fares Abounader, 39, and have released footage linked to their deaths in the hopes of finding those responsible.
Mr Abounader, a former Comanchero bikie, was gunned down just before midnight on August 29, 2020, on Wall Avenue at Panania.
In a separate incident, in Condell Park about 7.30am on October 19, Mr Hamzy, the younger brother of one of the state’s most dangerous criminals, Bassam Hamzy, was shot and killed outside his home.
In the newly released vision, two men can be seen running from the scene of Mr Hamzy’s death through Colechin Reserve at Yagoona, where one of the men’s blond hair is briefly exposed as his hoodie slips off his head.
Mejid Hamzy was killed in what police say was a targeted and planned shooting.Credit: Nine News
The two men then leave the area in two luxury cars.
Detectives from the state crime command are investigating both deaths under Strike Force Manifold and Strike Force Courier.
Dashcam vision from Panania shows a separate white Subaru parked outside the Wall Avenue home, before the shooting death of Mr Abounader. The same vehicle is then captured on CCTV turning onto Horsley Road.
In relation to the death of Mr Hamzy, dashcam vision from Henry Lawson Drive – near Webster Street and Kelso Park – at East Hills, captures two men in dark-coloured clothing in the hours before he was shot dead. Detectives believe these are the same men seen running from the scene hours after Mr Hamzy was shot dead.
Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said officers from both investigations believe the two men depicted in the CCTV could assist police with their investigations.
“There’s nothing to suggest that these two murders are related in regards to the reasons why the [men] were killed. We just believe that they’re both related to organised crime; we believe that it’s a [possibility] they were contract killers or just basically weaklings out there trying to get some money to do a cowardly act by killing people in front of the house,” he said.
Superintendent Taylor said police believe the same people are involved in both killings based on several factors.
“The methods on how these executions were carried out are very similar, the use of the motor vehicles, the clone number plates, the style, mannerisms about these people lead us to believe that they may be linked,” he said.
“There’s obviously other bits of information that we have that we will keep close to our chest, but the experience of our detectives have made us believe that there’s a good likelihood that the shooters in both of these murders are the same people.”
He added that Deepwater Park in Milperra was “another link in the chain” for investigators as the individuals were seen walking nearby before Mr Hamzy’s death and where cars were also seen linked to Mr Abounader’s death.
“Anyone who knows any information about people who may rendezvous, corral or co-ordinate in some way shape or form around that park is of great interest to us,” Superintendent Taylor said.
“Both these murders were calculated, deliberate and brazen attacks, and in the case of Mr Abounader, occurred in front of his family members, who are still seeking answers more than a year since his death.
“As our investigations deepen, we urge the community to take a close look at the individuals and vehicles depicted in the CCTV vision.”
Two brothers allegedly linked to the rival Alameddine family network have been arrested over the fatal shooting of Mr Hamzy, which police believe is linked to a violent gangland feud. Those accused of pulling the trigger are still believed to be at large.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.