Prominent criminal lawyer Mahmoud Abbas has been shot in what police believe was a targeted attack in Sydney’s west.
Emergency services were called to an address in Greenacre at 10.25am on Wednesday after reports of shots being fired.
Detective Superintendent Adam Johnson said it was “clearly a targeted and brazen shooting”.
Police believe Mr Abbas was about to get into his car to leave the Greenacre location when the shooting unfolded.
Superintendent Johnson said Mr Abbas was conscious when police arrived, and is due to undergo surgery. As it stands, authorities have yet to speak to him.
Although police couldn’t confirm the motive behind the attack, or whether there were links to recent shooting also in Greenacre, he said “they will inform our lines of inquiry”.
Superintendent Johnson also called on the public to come forward with information to assist investigations.
“We currently have one, if not more offenders on the run, and we need to identify them as soon as possible, as a matter of priority, to get them off the street,” he said.
“Anyone with inforamtion please contact the Bankstown Police Station or Crimestoppers.”
The Daily Telegraph reported Mr Abbas suffered injuries to his torso and right leg in the attack.
It is understood Mr Abbas was able to run back into the home after being shot, before calling emergency services.
He was treated on the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Video taken outside Mr Abbas’ home shows the lawyer awake and alert as he was being wheeled away on a stretcher by paramedics.
A crime scene has been established, and while investigations are ongoing.
“They took the guy out on a stretcher but he looked not too bad for being shot,” a witness told The Daily Telegraph.
Witnesses hearing “three shots” only minutes before the sirens of police and paramedics were heard.
Abbas is well known in the legal community, having respected a number of prominent people including Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer.
In 2021, he teamed up with veteran barrister Greg James KC to represent former NRL player Jamil Hopoate, who was facing drug charges.
Mr James said Mr Abbas was hardworking and a “nice bloke”.
“He’s a conscientious, hardworking individual,” Mr James said.
“He does quite a lot of work in the Bankstown area.
“Mahmoud’s married, he’s got kids, he’s got a brother, he runs a small firm of solicitors called Abbas Jacobs.
“He’s a nice bloke.”
Mr Abbas was gunned down in his driveway on the same street where underworld figure Mahmoud “Brownie” Ahmad was shot dead while visiting an associate in April 2022.
Pictures from the scene show the street being cordoned off with several police cars and paramedics on scene.
Mr Abbas specialises in criminal law. His website is currently down online.