Gangland shooting victim a ‘marked man’ before bloody execution

It’s a “miracle” no one else was killed in what is thought to be the latest shooting in a tit-for-tat gangland war in Sydney last night, the Homicide Squad boss has said.

Mahmoud “Brownie” Ahmad died on the street after being sprayed with a “hail of bullets” in Narelle Crescent in Greenacre about 9.30pm yesterday.

Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty confirmed today Ahmad was a “marked man” and was aware of threats made on his life. 

“His life was always in danger, he was always going to be a victim of circumstances, he was either going to end up on a slab in the morgue or back in jail in a cell,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

Detectives are investigating whether the killing is linking ongoing conflict between rival crime gangs in south-west Sydney, with Strike Force Raptor the first on the scene of the shooting.

“They actually found ‘Brownie’ Ahmad lying and dying in the street, and performed CPR… but unfortunately it was unable to save him,” he added.

“There’s a long list of persons of interest and suspects who may have been involved in this shooting murder, this was an incredibly brazen, callous murder, where multiple shots were fired at Ahmad and resulted in his death.”

Detective Superintendent Doherty said there were other people with Ahmad at the time and described it as “an absolute miracle” no one else was hit.

“Obviously the intention was to kill him and they were going to do that by firing as many bullets at him as they could, and they were successful in their intention,” he said.

The Homicide Squad boss also addressed concern in the community about the ongoing gun violence, but said police can’t combat it on their own.

He asked anyone in the area last night who may have witnessed the shooting or have footage of it to hand it over to police.

Ahmad made headlines in 2016 after a shootout at Condell Park claimed the life of Safwan Charbaji – sparking a bloody war between rival groups.

The crime identity’s brother, Walid “Wally” Ahmad, was gunned down in retaliation outside Bankstown Central shopping centre three weeks later.

Two other crime figures were also shot and killed within the next year.

Fearing for his life, Ahmad fled to Lebanon for nearly a year before returning and he was later sentenced to six years’ jail for his role in Charbaji’s death.

The crime scene remains shut to the public as police continue their investigation, with forensic officers scouring the area for clues.

They will also closely examine nearby properties for CCTV footage as they piece together how the gunman made their getaway.

A number of neighbours told 9News they heard last night’s shooting.

“Six, seven, eight very loud shots, well it sounded like shots to me,” one man said.

“First I thought it might have been fireworks then you realise it’s not fireworks.”

Another man said: “We’re seeing the other side of the street and the other side of a murder scene, it shouldn’t be like this”.

Police are also investigating whether two burnt-out vehicles found at Greenacre and Belmore are linked to the incident.