Two masked men fired eight shots inside a kebab shop on South Parade in Auburn just after 1.10pm on Monday 16 June 2025. The assault left three people wounded and sparked a major police operation in western Sydney.
Three people were treated at the scene for gunshot wounds. A 26-year-old man suffered wounds to his shoulder and arm, a 47-year-old woman was shot four times in the torso, and a 25-year-old man was shot in the face. All three victims have since been released from hospital, but the 47-year-old woman and the 25-year-old man are expected to face long-term complications.
What distinguishes this attack from a typical gangland shooting is that one victim was uninvolved in any criminal activity. One victim was an innocent woman doing her job; all she did was go to work and she has been caught up in this shocking event. For a kebab shop worker doing their shift at lunchtime, the violence proved indiscriminate and devastating.
The two men then fled the scene in a dark blue Audi Q7 bearing cloned numberplates. The Audi was found alight in Harris Park later that day. CCTV shows the dark blue Audi Q7 arriving at Main Lane in Merrylands about 12pm, believed to have travelled from the Guildford area.
Police believe the primary target was 26-year-old victim Samimjan Azari, who is 'known to police'. The incident is the fourth attempt on the life of the 26-year-old victim. Police allege Mr Azari is a senior figure in the Alameddine crime family. As recently as last Friday, police had spoken with the man due to concerns about his safety.
The shooting sits within a broader pattern of public violence. Taskforce Falcon was set up in late-May following a series of shootings between warring criminal gangs, with about 100 detectives joined by another 50 officers in the task force set up to curb gun violence after eight public shootings in six weeks.
For NSW law enforcement, the track record on organised crime murders offers some encouragement. Of 25 murders since 2021 believed to be related to organised crime, 20 have been solved and investigations are continuing into the remainder. Yet the brazen nature of daylight attacks and innocent bystanders being caught in the crossfire suggests the violence continues to escalate in visibility and recklessness.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about the identity of the two men to come forward. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.