A gunman remains at large following a targeted attack on a residence in Berkeley Vale, a suburb on the Central Coast, which left one occupant seriously injured. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. yesterday at a home on Lakedge Avenue.

Superintendent Chad Gillies reported that the assailant, believed to be a man in his late teens or early 20s wearing a balaclava, forced entry into the house. Upon confrontation with a 37-year-old male occupant, a struggle took place, during which multiple shots were fired inside the residence. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his torso and hand and was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition. The injured man’s partner was also present in the home at the time of the incident.

Police indicated the attack was targeted, though Superintendent Gillies declined to confirm if it was gang-related, stating the motive remained unclear as the investigation was still in its early stages. He noted that the victim is known to law enforcement and that such acts of violence are uncommon in the area.

Witnesses in the neighborhood reported hearing a loud bang and screams during the incident. One resident recounted telling her children to seek cover after the sounds.

The perpetrator is believed to have fled the scene in a silver GWM four-wheel drive, which was seen leaving the vicinity.

Central Coast councillor Rachel Stanton described the event as unusual for Berkeley Vale, expressing that it had unsettled the community. “Many residents woke up to the sound of helicopters and police sirens in what is normally a quiet suburb,” she said.

Authorities have urged the public not to approach the suspect and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.