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One man in hospital, two charged, others on the run following dramatic shooting
T
KATHERINE TWEED
he quiet suburb of Castlereagh was awoken by the sound of gunfi re when a late-night attempted home invasion last week turned into a near-deadly shootout. At about 11.45pm on Wednesday, May 22, emergency services attended a home in Rickards Road following reports of gunfir e. Police arrived on the scene when gunfi re was still being exchanged and fully exposed, made their way down the 20 metre driveway of the property where they found a man laying in the front yard with three gunshot wounds to the back and buttocks. Police allege that prior to being shot, the victim, 23-year-old Chipping Norton man, Adel Elkobaili, had attended the Castlereagh home with four others who had intended on attempting a home invasion. They arrived outside the family home, where three children were inside, in two cars and after a confrontation and an exchange of shots, attempted to flee the scene. “We know he attended the scene in one of two cars, a white Ford Falcon or a silver/ gold four cylinder car,” said Penrith LAC’s Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Grant Healey. “We were able to locate the Falcon. One of our Sergeants stopped it with two offenders in Post Office Road at Castlereagh. A fantastic job.”
Police believe that it was not a random attack and there have been some suggestions that the offenders were known to the homeowner. “Th is was a targeted attack and we are investigating the circumstances around that attack,” Detective Inspector Healey said. “We have a number of lines of inquiry to follow.” Police cannot confi rm how many shooters were there however two hand guns were recovered from the scene. Mr Elkobaili remains in hospital under police guard. Th is is not the fi rst time that he has had an involvement in gun-crime. He was arrested over a fatal shooting in Bankstown in 2009 however, was acquitted of the crime last year. Police are still searching for a number of others who were seen leaving the area in a silver sedan however three men, including the homeowner, were arrested that night. A 26-year-old man from Pemulway and 31-year-old man from Pendle Hill who had attempted to flee the scene before being stopped by police were taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with ‘special aggravated break and enter with intent’. The homeowner, a 37-year-old man, was released pending further inquiries. Detective Inspector Healey said that he was impressed with the bravery of the local police officers who fi rst attended the scene, putting themselves in a lifethreatening situation. “There were officers from the Dog Squad, St Marys LAC and Penrith LAC on
Local News
Shots rattle quiet Castlereagh
The scene of a dramatic shooting at Castlereagh last week. Photos: Matt Black Productions.
scene within minutes of the fi rst reports, acting professionally in a very high risk situation,” he said. “These officers should be recognised for
their bravery because they were putting themselves in danger.” If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Western Weekender | Friday, May 31, 2013 WW2804
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