An underworld crime figure who was gunned down in front of panicked bystanders in central Sydney was warned of an attempt on his life just weeks earlier after previously surviving an attempted kidnapping.
Niddal Acherkouk, 31, learned about the contract for his murder less than three weeks before he was shot dead by two cloaked gunmen on Crown Street in Surry Hills on Friday evening.
Terrified families and diners were seen running for their lives as a series of gunshots rang out through the busy street until the gunmen, who remained on the run, completed the “carefully planned” execution.
The pair went to great lengths to conceal their identities, donning large black ponchos, balaclavas, gloves and long trousers that hid their faces, skin color and body shape.
They initially shot at Acherkouk’s car after waiting for the underworld figure at a BP gas station, where police sources claim the men had waited for him to arrive.
Acherkouk, 30, managed to climb from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat and clambered out of his vehicle before fleeing on foot.
The gunmen chased him and fired as pedestrians fled to nearby shops to avoid being overtaken.
They shot Acherkouk before fleeing in a Porsche, which was found on fire in nearby Kensington an hour after the shooting.
Niddal Acherkouk (photo) was fatally shot by two gunmen in central Sydney on Friday evening
The gunmen chased Acherkouk on foot after shooting at his car at a BP gas station
NSW Police previously revealed Acherkouk had links to underworld organizations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of the ‘targeted’ shooting that ended his life.
It has since been revealed that he had ties to the Comanchero motorcycle gang but was not a member, sources said. The Daily Telegraph.
Acherkouk’s death follows an incident last year in which three men tried to kidnap him.
Last July, a man wearing a balaclava ran after Acherkouk as he left a Punchbowl gym and forced his way into his car.
The pair struggled until the car crashed into the front window of the store, forcing three men wearing balaclavas to flee the scene in a white van.
Former NSW police officer Glenn Gorrick said it was likely a member of the public was not injured.
“It’s an absolute miracle,” he told the Today show.
He said the shooting in a public place was not only brazen but also a warning to other members of organized crime.
“I am confident that these criminal gangs will engage in more retaliatory behavior,” he said.
Police are now preparing for retaliation from the underworld as the desperate manhunt for the gunmen responsible continues.
“This is an outrageous incident that demonstrated a high degree of reckless indifference to members of the public who were in and around the area at the time,” South Sydney Chief Inspector Andrew Garner told reporters on Saturday.
He added that Acherkouk suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body, but could not confirm how many shots were fired.
“He was alone in his car at the gas station,” he said.
“He then exited the vehicle and proceeded on foot along Cleveland Street, where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Images from the scene showed bloodstains on the road near the petrol station in Surry Hills
Niddal Acherkouk (photo injured on the street) suffered a gunshot wound in his upper body. But police could not confirm how many shots were fired
Supt Garner said the incident was ‘outrageous’ and showed a lack of respect for public safety in a busy and congested part of the city.
“We will work very hard to identify, arrest and hold those involved accountable,” Supt Garner said.
“(My message to them)…We’re coming for you.”
Images from the scene showed bloodstains on the road near the gas station.
Earlier, a blood-soaked white sheet was seen covering Acherkouk’s body as paramedics desperately tried to revive him.
Supt Garner said police were investigating the movements of the burned vehicle.
NSW Police said in a statement on Friday evening that the shooting is believed to be linked to the burnt-out car.
Swarms of emergency workers, including police and at least five emergency vehicles, were on the scene.
Officers secured the intersection of Cleveland and Bourke Streets before a police operation began.
Several people, who were in a store, were forced to take cover when they heard gunshots.
A local resident dining nearby told Daily Mail Australia she heard three gunshots go off in the direction of the BP.
NSW Police said on Saturday that Acherkouk had links to underworld organizations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of his death
Witnesses reported seeing the gunman jump out of a car before the shooting, while another witness said they saw a “bloodied” man after the incident.
Another man told me Daily Telegraph he heard ‘bang after bang’ and said ‘everyone panicked’ as chaos ensued.
‘People are running and screaming everywhere. It was surreal. Terrifying,” he said.
Some businesses were forced to close their doors for the night, while local supermarket Harris Farm reportedly urged shoppers to leave.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.