Police have been forced to respond after a shocking brawl erupted between two gangs at Westfield Mount Druitt, Western Sydney, on Saturday. The incident took place around 3:15 PM in the rooftop car park, leading to a significant police presence and a tragic outcome.
At some point during the chaos, a man in his 20s took a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Local emergency paramedics were immediately on the scene to treat injuries. Despite their best efforts, the man died from his injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later at 4 PM. By the end of the weekend, authorities had confirmed that at least of the five victims died from the shooting.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the melee unfolded. One documented observer described only one instance, where a man with a machete was threatening protestors. One other reported witnessing an armed individual engage in gunplay. The Westfield shopping centre was full of holiday shoppers at the moment, creating risk to public safety.
After the incident, police blocked off the area surrounding the cinema to conduct a full investigation of the attack. According to published accounts, officers shot their guns in an initial confrontation, though the exact details about what happened and why are still murky.
Paradise lost criminal defence lawyer Rick Rabbah, who witnessed the incident on police surveillance video, said it was “really confronting”. He detailed what makes this violence even more serious — that it happened in an area packed with shoppers.
“I specialise in criminal defence, but for things to occur for a day like 3pm on a busy weekend, it’s terrifying for everyone, even for someone like myself,” – Rick Rabbah
The cause of the fight and later shooting is still being investigated. Local police have called upon anyone who has information regarding the incident to step forward.
