A crazed gunman who opened fire at his in-laws’ home before killing himself had been trying to locate his wife after she left him and fled to another state.
The 50-year-old Victorian man fired several shots at the Antwerp Street home in Auburn, western Sydney, shortly before 10pm on Tuesday before fleeing the scene.
He then attempted to steal two vehicles on nearby Mona Street.
The first attempt was unsuccessful and the motorist continued on his way, but the second driver, a 55-year-old man, was shot in the neck in front of his 15-year-old daughter.
The gunman then fled to the banks of Duck Creek, where he committed suicide, while the driver was rushed to hospital in serious but stable condition.
Deputy Commissioner Brett McFadden said the gunman’s 50-year-old wife, his two children, aged 15 and 20, and his wife’s parents, aged in their 70s, were inside the residence at the time of the attack.
A family member was sweeping broken glass off the front balcony Wednesday and said it was “cracked” but “okay” under the circumstances.
“It was a miracle that no one was hurt when he shot at the house,” he said. “I thought I had almost lost my entire family.”
Police were seen at the Antwerp Street property on Wednesday.
A family member cleans up broken glass outside the property on Wednesday
A family relative arrived at the property on Wednesday to speak to police.
Officers are seen arriving at the home on Antwerp Street after shots were fired shortly after 10 p.m.
Deputy Commissioner McFadden said the gunman’s wife had fled Victoria earlier this week to seek refuge with her parents after 23 years of marriage.
Police said the husband traveled to New South Wales to search for his family in the hours before the attack.
“The man became enraged and smashed the front windows of the premises and forced open the main doors, but did not gain entry,” Deputy Commander McFadden said Wednesday.
‘He pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man in his 70s, fired the gun but it did not work.
‘He then pointed the gun at the woman, who was about 70 years old, and fired inside the premises. He did not injure anyone and the man left.
“We are very grateful at this stage that we do not have another domestic violence homicide on our hands.”
Deputy Commander McFadden said the first driver was a 56-year-old woman, who failed to stop and immediately contacted police.
He said the second driver was shot through the driver’s side window and suffered injuries to the shoulder and face.
Deputy Commander McFadden said the man was not known to be a registered gun owner and enquiries were underway to determine how he gained access to the weapon.
He was also not actively known to Victoria or New South Wales Police for domestic violence matters.
Deputy Commissioner Brett McFadden speaks to reporters on Wednesday
A bullet casing could be seen on the ground outside the house.
Duck Creek (pictured), where the gunman’s body was found
A “great deal of support” is offered to the family as they process the traumatic event.
The incident comes as NSW Police launched Operation Amarok Seven on Wednesday, targeting high-risk domestic violence offenders across the state.
Deputy Commander McFadden said it was a challenge for detectives dealing with domestic violence matters occurring across borders as officers do not have access to interstate records.
She urged anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence to contact police so measures can be put in place to help protect them.
“When we look at this man’s history, he has holdings in New South Wales going back to 1980, 1990; there’s nothing substantial from that point on that we’re concerned about,” he said.
‘Victoria hasn’t had any active interactions with him for 10 years, so we’re just starting to really look at what those factors are that pose a challenge and a risk to the community.
‘It’s not easy, but it’s an unwavering commitment we have every day to ensure we protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
The man then fired at a car (pictured), wounding a 55-year-old man sitting inside in the neck.
Forensic officers are seen inspecting the front door of the house.
Detectives were seen searching the home for evidence early Wednesday and found a bullet casing lying on the driveway.
A firearm was also found and seized as evidence.
Neighbors said they heard banging and looked outside to see a short man running away from the scene on Amberes Street.
They said they were shocked and that an elderly couple had lived in the one-story, four-bedroom home for more than 30 years.
“They are a nice couple and very hard-working,” one resident told Daily Mail Australia.
Another man who lives on Antwerp Street told Daily Mail Australia that he understands there are usually three people living in the house.
He said his sister-in-law was leaving her property when she heard two or three loud bangs and quickly ran inside her home, where they observed the commotion.
“There was an older man in his car, reversing erratically on the street,” one person said.
‘He kept backing in and out of his driveway, then backing in and out of the driveways next door. He then went into the driveway and started arguing with the people inside.’
The neighbor called the police, at which point the older man was able to enter the house.
Officers who arrived at the home then headed down the street in search of the gunman, the neighbor said, before police radio announced a short time later that they had located him.
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