An underworld identity known as the ‘Angel of Death’ was shot dead in a hail of bullets in Western Sydney this morning, as police admit there are ‘too many suspects and too many motives’ for the gangland hit.
Tarek Ayoub, 29, was peppered with up to seven bullets on Harold Street in Parramatta around 3.30am on Monday.
NSW Ambulance paramedics could not save him.
A manhunt has been launched for at least two gunmen who allegedly fled the scene in a stolen Audi sedan before setting it alight on a street around 4km from the crime scene around 3.45am.
Witnesses saw them run from the burning car before fleeing in a white SUV.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Ayoub was visiting an associate when he was shot a ‘large number of times’ in the car park.
He said Ayoub was a known underworld associate with an extensive criminal background and his demise came as ‘no surprise’ to detectives because he ‘lived and died by the sword’.
‘It was a targeted shooting. He had a long history of violence,’ Detective Doherty told reporters.
‘This was a message sent to Tarek Ayoub. It was very loud and clear they meant to kill him.
‘He’s connected to several organised crime groups. He was known in the underworld as the Angel of Death.’
Police are hunting for Ayoub’s killers, with more than one person seen leaving the scene.
Asked whether detectives had any theories for the murder, Superintendent Danny Doherty said there were ‘too many suspects, too many motives’ as he was ‘someone who was well known to police’.
Ayoub’s brother Najm was spotted at the crime scene on Monday morning.
Najm was charged by police over his alleged involvement in another shooting in June.
Najm allegedly dropped Thikran Hachem, 23, to Bankstown Hospital in the early hours of June 25 after Mr Hachem suffered a bullet wound to the stomach.
It is believed the pair had been travelling together when the car they were in was shot at, The Daily Telegraph reported.
But Najm was arrested after he allegedly refused to tell police what had happened or where the shooting took place.
Police have launched Strike Force Juno to investigate his brother’s death, and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
They are particularly interested in anyone who may have been in Harold Street area of North Parramatta area between 3.30am to 3.45am.
‘We want to know who was responsible for this,’ Detective Doherty said.
‘The family have been informed and are trying to absorb information.
‘That person is associated with that block of units. It was an innocent meeting, so a catch up. He was shot when he came back to his vehicle.’
A resident of the complex told Daily Mail he heard seven loud bangs as Ayoub was shot downstairs below his window.
‘It woke my two year old up. It was pretty scary,’ he said.
‘About ten minutes later, all the police arrived.’
The 29-year-old was previously charged for his involvement in the aftermath of the 2017 shooting murder of teenager Braydon Dillan.
Ayoub pleaded guilty to concealing details about the offence. He had reportedly been a player in Sydney’s criminal networks for many years.
More to come.