CCTV vision has captured the moment a criminal identity was shot dead on a busy Sydney street.
Two hooded gunmen opened fire on Nidal Acherkouk at a BP gas station in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Surry Hills shortly before 8pm on Friday.
A shocking sight shows two men in dark ponchos running up the side of Acherkouk’s car before firing at least four shots.
Acherkouk, 30, who police said Saturday had ties to underworld organizations, somehow managed to cross into the passenger seat and get out of the car, despite being hit in the shoulder.
The gunmen began an intense chase, firing more shots as the public ducked for cover behind cars, in stores and restaurants.
The footage, filmed by a passerby, showed Acherkouk stumbling on the middle street outside a chemical warehouse as a man repeatedly shouted: ‘Get a fucking ambulance!’
A shirtless man tried to hold Acherkouk up as a large red blood stain spread across his white T-shirt, while a man in a wheelchair walked over to help.
Other members of the public ran and tried to give him first aid, but they were unable to save him.
Two hooded gunmen opened fire on Nidal Acherkouk at a BP gas station in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Surry Hills just before 8pm on Friday.
Shocking vision shows two men in dark ponchos running up to the side of Acherkouk’s car before firing at least four shots (pictured)
The footage, filmed by a passerby, showed Acherkouk stumbling on the middle street outside a chemical warehouse as a man repeatedly shouted: ‘Get a fucking ambulance!’
The two gunmen remain at large after setting fire to their getaway Porsche in nearby Kensington.
New South Wales police said on Saturday that Acherkouk had links to underworld organizations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of his death.
South Sydney Police Area Command Superintendent Andrew Garner said the attack was “targeted” during a press conference on Saturday.
“This is an outrageous incident which demonstrated a high level of reckless indifference towards the public who were in and around the area at the time,” he said.
New South Wales Police said on Saturday Acherkouk (pictured) had links to underworld organizations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of his death.
Superintendent Garner said Acherkouk had suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body, but could not confirm how many shots had been fired.
“He was alone in his vehicle at the gas station,” he said.
“After that, he exited the vehicle and walked down Cleveland Street, where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Superintendent Garner said the incident was “scandalous” and demonstrated a lack of respect for public safety in a busy and crowded area of the city.
“We will work very hard to identify and arrest those involved and hold them to account,” Superintendent Garner said.
Images from the scene showed blood stains on the road near the gas station.
Images from the scene showed blood stains (pictured) on the road near the gas station.
The shooter remains on the run after police were called to Baptist Street in Surry Hills after locals reported hearing gunshots just before 8pm on Friday (Friday scene pictured).
Earlier, a blood-soaked white sheet was seen covering Acherkouk’s body as paramedics worked desperately to revive him.
A Porsche, believed to be the getaway car, was found burned on Kensington Road in Kensington about an hour after the shooting.
Superintendent Garner said police are investigating the movements of the burned vehicle.
New South Wales Police said in a statement on Friday night that the shooting and the car fire are believed to be linked.
Earlier, a blood-soaked white sheet was seen covering the man’s body as paramedics worked desperately to revive him (pictured).
Swarms of first responders were at the scene, including police and at least five emergency vehicles.
Officers secured the intersection of Cleveland and Bourke streets before a police operation began.
Several people, who were inside a store, were forced to duck for cover at the sound of gunshots.
A local who was dining nearby told Daily Mail Australia she heard three gunshots in the direction of BP.
Witnesses reported seeing the gunman jump out of a car before the shooting, while another witness said he saw a “bloody” man after the incident.
Another man told Daily Telegraph He heard “explosion after explosion” and said “everyone panicked” as chaos ensued.
‘People are running and screaming everywhere. It was surreal. Terrifying,’ he said.
Some businesses were forced to close their doors for the night, and local grocery store Harris Farm reportedly urged shoppers to leave.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.