Sydney faced a terrifying night when a man fired up to 100 bullets into a busy Inner West street. Twenty people were hurt.
The gunfire started on Sunday evening. Passing cars and even police officers came under attack. Many first thought the loud cracks were fireworks. But the sound of breaking glass soon made the danger clear. “It was frantic. Everything happened so quick,” said office worker Joe Azar, who watched from across the road.
Police rushed to the area and locked down the street. Officers entered a unit above a shop and arrested a 60-year-old man. They seized two rifles. The accused was injured during the arrest and taken to hospital.
One man went to hospital with a serious gunshot wound. Another 19 people suffered cuts from glass and shrapnel. Several needed hospital care.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon called the event “serious and terrifying.” He said there was no sign of terrorism or gang links. The motive is still unknown.
Mass shootings are rare in Australia. Strong gun laws have been in place since 1996, after the Port Arthur massacre. Police are continuing their investigation.
