Masked assailants targeted two homes in the Moorebank suburb of southwest Sydney in a series of violent incidents occurring within 24 hours over the weekend. The second attack, which involved gunfire directed at a residence housing seven children, has raised alarms among local authorities and residents.
In the early hours of Saturday, a car parked in a driveway was set on fire by a man wearing a balaclava, who was later joined by another individual smashing the vehicle’s windows with a hammer before filming the blaze. This initial incident occurred just a few houses away from the subsequent attack.
Less than 24 hours later, around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, masked men targeted a nearby home where a 32-year-old woman and seven children, aged between three and ten, were present. The assailants reportedly smashed the windows of an SUV parked in the driveway, doused it with an accelerant, and lit it on fire. Following this, one of the men allegedly fired up to 10 shots at the front of the house before fleeing the scene in a white Mercedes.
No injuries were reported in either incident. NSW Police Acting Superintendent Matthew Newton described the events as “shocking and unacceptable” and urged the public to come forward with any information or footage that could assist the investigation.
Footage of the shooting emerged online, showing one of the attackers holding a sign stating, “You want to be a man … Welcome to a mans world!” As the men left, a nearby resident was heard confronting them. Authorities are investigating whether the two attacks are connected and if the initial firebombing was mistakenly directed at the wrong property.
The residence targeted in the shooting has been linked to a woman connected to a luxury car rental business. Following the incidents, threatening messages circulated online, specifically naming the woman and warning others involved in the vehicle rental industry that they could be targeted next. These messages claimed prior attempts had been made to place tracking devices on vehicles and vowed ongoing harassment until the woman left the country.
Police have emphasized that there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the owners or occupants of the homes or by the car rental business involved.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the violence as “sickening,” particularly highlighting the involvement of young children. She affirmed the government’s support for law enforcement efforts, noting new legislation that introduces aggravated offences for public shootings and increases penalties for firing at residences.
Approximately two hours after the shooting, a white sedan believed to be the getaway vehicle was found burning near Bankstown Airport. Police continue to investigate the incidents, seeking to identify those responsible and determine any potential links between the attacks.