Police are hunting for an alleged gunman who fired about five bullets into the air following a pursuit in Sydney’s west last night.
Traffic and highway patrol officers witnessed a Nissan utility with irregular number plates commit a right-hand turn against traffic signs in South Wentworthville around 9.20pm on Friday.
When the driver failed to stop, police began a pursuit that continued through several residential streets in Merrylands and Guildford, before the Nissan was involved in a minor crash with another vehicle on Hawksview Street, Guildford.
The driver then stopped the vehicle before allegedly running away from police and shooting into the air. No injuries have been reported.
Footage uploaded to social media after the incident shows dozens of police cars and officers searching for the alleged gunman. In one video, officers can be seen kicking down the fencing of a backyard as they frantically inspect the next.
Officers from the local area command, as well as Pol Air, public order and the riot squad, helped search for the driver, but he has not been located.
Cumberland Police Area Command’s Chief Inspector Ricky Agius said he believed the gunman was “totally stupid” and a risk to the community.
“The male, in my opinion, is totally irresponsible [and] totally stupid in his actions by discharging a firearm in a public place, putting people in the community at risk,” he said. “We’re very lucky that no one was killed or injured from that action.
“The male was described as wearing an orange fluoro top, and [at] this time, we have not located him.”
One man who witnessed the incident – and didn’t provide a name – told Nine News that he heard sirens, gunshots and “mayhem”.
“I didn’t see anyone run, but my brother was entering the home, and when he heard the shots, he ran inside … they used a lot of resources last night, there was a heavy presence.”
Agius urged the community to come forward with any CCTV or dash-cam footage to help police in their investigation. Police have established a crime scene while inquiries into the incident continue.
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Kayla Olaya is a culture reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.