Tattooed tradie Daniel Klinsic reveals how he chased gunmen barefoot through Austral streets in south-west Sydney after terrifying shots rang out in the middle of the night

A local plumber has revealed how he chased two suspected gunmen through residential streets after being woken up by gunfire.

Daniel Klinsic, a father of three, has spoken of the terrifying incident that took place on Thursday night in Austral, a suburb in Sydney’s south-west.

On Thursday night around 11:05 p.m., police were called to reports of gunfire on Sixteenth Ave.

At least six shots were fired into a family home.

A short time later they received further reports of a car crash on Craik Avenue, after which two men ran away.

Upon arrival, they found bullet casings and a fuel tank in the abandoned vehicle, which had been reported stolen.

Mr Klinsic told reporters he was sleeping at home with his wife when they were woken up by a loud bang.

Wearing only his pajamas and no shoes, Mr. Klinsic chased after the alleged perpetrators.

“So I ran down the stairs, straight outside,” he said.

CCTV footage from the scene of the terrifying incident at Austral in Sydney’s southwest on Thursday night

‘I saw the guy running down there, so I gave chase barefoot. I was about 50 yards away from him, but because I was barefoot, I obviously couldn’t run any further.

“I could see exactly what he was wearing, I could see everything,” he said.

He said it was a reflex to chase the suspected shooter.

“It was just a natural instinct. Put that p**** on the ground,” he said.

According to Mr Klinsic, the alleged perpetrator was panting.

‘[I was thinking] “I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you. But then I hit gravel. I can’t run barefoot on gravel.”

He said the alleged assailant was on the phone as he ran, “clearly hoping to reach someone who could pick him up.”

Mr Klinsic admitted he was scared, but added that he was only concerned about protecting his family.

“When it comes to my family, I just fall for it, I didn’t think about guns. If I had… shoes on, I would have gotten him.”

Mr Klinsic joked that he was “probably lucky he didn’t get him” as the man he was chasing was reportedly armed.

When Mr. Klinsic later saw the bullets in the alleged perpetrators’ car, he suddenly realized it.

“F***, this could have gotten really bad really quickly,” he said.

Neighbors said they were not surprised that Mr. Klinsic gave chase, as this is quite common.

“There is some nuisance, such as driving on the street and speeding,” said Mr Klinsic.

Police are on the scene in Austral in Sydney’s southwest, where a barefoot trader chased an alleged gunman on Thursday night

“So I chased a few people and cars out onto the road. I just don’t think, I just go for it.”

Police found an empty pistol magazine on Seventeenth Avenue and around 11:35 p.m. they found a 30-year-old man on Fourth Avenue.

He has been taken to Liverpool Police Station and is assisting police with their investigation.

On Friday morning, police found a silver firearm believed to have been used in the incident.

Research is still ongoing.