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A former rugby league player, who once graced the fields with the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, is fighting for his life following a harrowing incident outside his home in Greenacre. At the break of dawn on Tuesday, as he was preparing to head to work, he became the victim of a brutal shooting, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
In a seemingly related event, the early hours of the next day were disrupted by gunfire in St Clair. Around 12:45 a.m., shots pierced the calm of the night, targeting a residence. Fortunately, a woman in her fifties, who was inside the house at the time, emerged unharmed from the ordeal.
Not far from the scene, authorities discovered a second vehicle, charred and abandoned in Colyton. This car, now a critical piece of evidence, was promptly taken in by law enforcement for thorough forensic analysis.
Both fires, which consumed the vehicles, were swiftly dealt with by firefighters, ensuring there were no injuries resulting from these fiery incidents. The investigations continue as police work tirelessly to piece together the events surrounding these alarming occurrences.
Firefighters extinguished both blazes, and no one was injured.
In relation to these incidents, on Thursday, officers executed six search warrants in Riverwood, Guildford, Lilyfield, Villawood and Auburn.
Police later seized three vehicles, 1kg of cocaine, knuckle dusters, electronics and clothing.
Authorities said yesterday they believe some of the alleged offenders are acting “as part of a criminals-for-hire group”, and that multiple perpetrators remain at large.
Later that day, at about 6.50pm, police arrested a 25-year-old man in Marsden Park.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested shortly after.
The pair were taken to Mt Druitt Police Station.
They were charged with shooting with intent to murder and participating in a criminal group in relation to the alleged shooting in Greenacre.
They were refused bail to appear at court today.
Police are investigating whether Utai’s son, Iziah’s, alleged links to the Alameddine crime network could have been the reason behind the alleged attacks.
9News understands 24-year-old Iziah is currently overseas.
Police say the younger Utai is currently wanted for “criminal group offences”.
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