SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: In an unprecedented act of violence, a 60-year-old man unleashed terror in Sydney’s Inner West by firing nearly 50 rounds indiscriminately, leaving at least 16 people injured and the nation shaken. The rare mass shooting has sparked alarm in a country long considered one of the safest due to its strict gun laws.
According to New South Wales Police, the suspect fired randomly at pedestrians, vehicles, and even officers before being overpowered during a swift operation. A rifle was recovered from the scene, and authorities confirmed the man sustained minor injuries near his eyes during the arrest. While he remains in custody, formal charges are still awaited.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion, with some initially mistaking the gunfire for fireworks. Glass windows shattered as bullets tore through the street, forcing civilians to take cover in shops and offices. “It felt like something out of a movie,” one bystander recounted, recalling flashes and loud bangs that echoed across the block.
Police initially feared as many as 100 shots had been fired and 20 people hurt, but later confirmed the toll to be about 50 rounds and 16 victims, most of whom sustained minor injuries, including cuts from broken glass. Several victims were rushed to hospitals, while some arrived on their own for treatment.
Authorities stressed that there is currently no evidence linking the attack to terrorism or gang activity, but they described the incident as “terrifying” and highly unusual for Australia. The nation has rarely witnessed such indiscriminate shootings since the introduction of sweeping firearm reforms in 1996, following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania that killed 35 people.
Emergency services remain on high alert as investigators attempt to uncover the shooter’s motives. The incident has reignited debate over community safety, despite Australia’s globally recognized reputation for strict gun control.
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