The brutal execution of a famous driver in front of his 12-year-old son may have been linked to the kidnapping and ransoming of a Sydney businessman, sources say.
Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot at least six times outside the Elite Fight Force gym in Sefton on Thursday before being found slumped over the console of his black Mercedes SUV.
Mr Sabbagh, who owned a car rental company, had just arrived at the western Sydney gym to take his son to boxing class at 6:30am.
In a shocking development, underworld sources said Daily telegram Mr Sabbagh could have been the target of revenge for an incident where a jeweler was kidnapped and tortured for nearly 24 hours.
The man was not released until a ransom of approximately $10 million was paid.
Taha Sabbagh, 40 (pictured with social media celebrity Hasbulla Magomedov), was shot at least six times outside the Elite Fight Force gym in Sefton before being found slumped over the console of his black Mercedes SUV
In a shocking development, underworld sources claim that Mr. Sabbagh could have been targeted in revenge for an incident where a jeweler was kidnapped and tortured for nearly 24 hours (victim is blurred out during the ordeal).
In a gruesome video of the man’s abduction last October, he can be heard begging for help to be released.
“Whatever you can get from them, tell them I’ll pay them later. I will pay whatever it is please I beg you please get me out of here,” the man in the video pleaded.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting that Mr Sabbagh was behind the kidnapping, but it is clear his murder may have served as a ‘warning signal’ to criminal gang members, some of whom train at the Elite Fight Force gym.
“Part of the crew of that gym was behind the kidnapping… this is retaliation,” an underworld source said.
“They are some of the toughest bad guys in that gym…it will happen now, these guys will get their revenge too.”
It is not suggested that the businessman, who is currently abroad, is involved in any criminal activity or the murder of Mr Sabbagh, but he is said to have links with some criminals who are willing to search retribution for him.
A witness heard at least ten shots on Thursday after the shooting and the sound of a car screeching away.
A worker nearby heard Mr. Sabbagh’s son scream, “Help my father has been shot!”
Paramedics desperately tried to revive Mr. Sabbagh, who was often present at the MMA gym with his son. He could not be saved and died on the spot.
Mourners paid their respects to Mr Sabbagh at 1pm Saturday at a service at Lakemba Mosque (pictured), in southwest Sydney
Police forensics officers investigate the scene of a fatal shooting outside the Elite Fight Force mixed martial arts gym in Sefton, Sydney, Thursday 2 March 2023
Pictured are members of the Elite Fight Force martial arts school in Sefton, Sydney’s southwest. There is no suggestion that those in the image are involved in any criminal activity
NSW Police Chief Inspector Danny Doherty said police believe the shooting was a ‘targeted attack’ but would investigate whether Mr Sabbagh was ‘the intended target’.
“He was not well known to the police, he was associated with some people who are well known to the police and have strong criminal activity associated with them,” he said.
Police believe at least two offenders fired the shots from a Mazda 3. The car was later found burnt out at Birrong railway station, nearby.
Superintendent Doherty said he believed the attack was isolated and confirmed the boy was unharmed.
“The people who committed this murder have no respect for human life, knowing that there was a 12-year-old boy in the car and still carrying out the execution for him,” he said.
Mourners paid their respects to Mr Sabbagh at 1pm on Saturday at a service at Lakemba Mosque, in southwest Sydney.
Family and friends consoled each other as the coffin containing the slain father was carried up the stairs into the mosque.
“No one saw this coming,” said a preacher from inside the mosque.
The coffin was carried back down after the service, while mourners chanted solemnly around it.
The coffin was then loaded into the back of a hearse that waited in the street before being taken to Rookwood Cemetery.
Several mourners were seen wiping their tears and hugging each other.
A single police car was parked across the road, while patrol cars raced up and down the road every few minutes.
Paramedics desperately tried to revive Mr. Sabbagh (pictured), who was often present at the MMA gym with his son. He could not be saved and died on the spot
The Mazda 3 used in the shooting was later found burnt out at nearby Birrong railway station
The gym where Mr Sabbagh was killed was still closed this weekend, but will reopen on Monday.
Owner Hany Sbat is abroad to take part in an MMA event abroad and is said to be ‘upset and angry’ by Mr Sabbagh’s death. There is no suggestion that he was involved in the kidnapping or shooting in any way.
The gym had reportedly been raided by police officers in the past and some gym members had been banned from guns.
An FPO allows the police to stop and search a person, their vehicle or any property they are visiting without a warrant.