Emergency services were called to a unit on Shale Street in Lidcombe just after 4am on Monday 16 March 2026 after a shooting. A 38-year-old man was found suffering gunshot wounds and died in hospital a short time later. A second man at the scene suffered non-life threatening injuries during an assault.
According to 9News reporting, police arrested a man in Ryde about 12pm on Monday and took him to Gladesville Police Station where he was assisting with inquiries. No charges have been laid.
The victim's identity has been named by multiple outlets as Abdullah Bahsa, 38. Police believe the shooting was carried out by offenders with organised crime links. Police say Bahsa was known to authorities for his involvement in the underworld.
According to the 9News report, the gunmen arrived at the unit about 11pm on Sunday evening and, after discovering Bahsa was not home, waited five hours for him to return. "This is a targeted attack. This is not a random attack," Superintendent Robert Toynton told reporters on Monday.
The accused shooters were described as heavy-set men dressed in black clothes. Police believe several people were involved in the shooting. Auburn Area Commander Superintendent Robert Toynton noted that finding the shooter would be challenging, as the location was flanked on one side by high-rise apartment buildings and on the other by a construction site.
Superintendent Toynton urged the public to come forward with any relevant information, noting "Someone must have seen something, someone must have heard something." Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.