A man has been shot dead while sitting in a car next to his 12-year-old son outside a gym in Western Sydney, in what police called a "targeted organised crime murder".
Taha Sabbagh, 40, and his son pulled into the car park of martial arts gym Elite Fight Force on Carlingford Street at Sefton, just after 6.30am this morning.
Police said Mr Sabbagh was shot multiple times before he could step out of the car.
Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty described the attack as "sickening, callous and brazen".
"It's horrendous to think a 12-year-old had to witness his father being shot dead in this manner," Detective Superintendent Doherty said.
"It's a sickening feeling. (The offenders are) callous, brazen and have little disregard for human life."
Greenacre man Taha Sabbagh was killed outside a gym. (Supplied)
He said there were at least two people involved, who used a Mazda 3 as a getaway car, before driving it to Magdella Street, Birrong, and setting it on fire.
Detective SuperintendentDoherty said police had to keep an “open mind” about the motive for the murder, but suspected it was organised crime related.
“We believe this was a targeted attack. It bears the hallmarks of an organised crime murder,” he said.
“He was associated with people who are well known to police and have strong criminal activity connected to them.”
A black Mercades was parked near the gym, with a body bag nearby. A car was found on fire this morning, about a three-minute drive from the gym shooting. (ABC News)
He does not believe the murder was related to the spate of gangland murders in the last 18 months, which resulted in at least 15 shooting deaths.
Police said Mr Sabbagh died outside the gym despite efforts by paramedics to save him.
A worker at a neighbouring business told ABC News he heard multiple shots being fired.
"I heard four to six shots and then a gap and then another series of shots," the worker said.
"Then I heard a car speed off."
A person from a separate business on Carlingford Street said the area was blocked off and "chaotic".
"There are people everywhere. Family members are arriving and running around. It's chaotic at the moment," he said.
Bankstown detectives and the Homicide Squad are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police have asked for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them.
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The man was shot inside his car before he intended to enter the gym
The victim's 12-year-old son was sitting next to him and witnessed the shooting
Multiple shots were fired
Police have launched a murder investigation
They are searching for two suspects
Police believe it was a 'targeted organised crime murder'
The victim had 'associates' who also attended the gym
Police are appealing for footage of a Mazda 3 which was found burnt-out on Magdella Street, Birrong
Detective Superintendent Doherty has been asked whether, given the man's associates also attended the gym, it could have been a case of mistaken identity.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says that theory has not been ruled out, however, they did believe it was a targeted attack on the victim.
He described it as a 'targeted organised crime murder'.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says the man was shot inside his car, in daylight, in suburban Sydney.
His son was sitting next to him.
He says the victim had intended to enter the gym.
"Associates of the victim have connections to that gym as well," Detective Superintendent Doherty says.
He says those details have led police to believe it was targeted rather than random.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says multiple shots were fired, and the offenders had "little regard for human life", particularly to shoot the man in front of his young son.
"We can say it was targeted however we are keeping an open mind about the motive," Detective Superintendent Doherty says.
He says there is no evidence to suggest any connections or link to other conflicts in the past.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says investigators are searching for at least two people they believe are responsible.
He described it as an "egregious, violent" act which would have been traumatising for his 12-year-old son to witness.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says the man was shot dead in front of his 12-year-old son.
He says investigators are seeking any information from members of the public.
He says police are appealing for footage of a Mazda 3 which was found burnt-out.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is speaking at the NSW Police Headquarters in Parramatta.
He says a crime scene was established and it's being treated as a murder investigation.
We'll bring you the updates as they happen live.
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