Sydney shooting: Alameddine gang member Samimjan Azari shot outside Western Sydney restaurant in alleged tit for tat gang war

A senior member of the notorious Alameddine crime network was one of three people shot in a brazen daylight attack outside a Turkish restaurant near Auburn train station in Western Sydney on Monday(June 16), raising fresh alarm over escalating gang violence in the region.

Police confirmed that 26-year-old Samimjan Azari, long identified by authorities as a high-ranking figure within the Alameddine network, was targeted just after 1:15 pm outside M Brothers Family Restaurant on South Parade. A man and a woman were also injured during the gunfire, with all three treated by paramedics at the scene for gunshot wounds. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

Also read: Sydney shooting: Masked gunmen open fire near Auburn Train Station, shoot three

Tit for tat gang war?

Authorities are investigating whether this latest shooting is connected to a tit-for-tat gang war gripping parts of Sydney. Less than a month ago, Azari survived an ambush in Granville, during which his associate, Dawood Zakaria, 32, was fatally wounded. Azari’s bodyguard, Levi Vitukawalu, was also in the vehicle but escaped injury. A firearm allegedly found in their Toyota HiLux during that incident led to charges against both men.

According to court documents, prosecutors previously argued Azari should remain in custody, warning his release could fuel retaliatory violence between Alameddine and rival criminal factions. Police intelligence has placed Azari at the “epicentre” of the ongoing turf war.

NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the Auburn shooting as “shockingly brazen,” stating: “People committing this kind of violence can expect to be arrested, charged, and to spend years inside small jail cells.”

No arrests have been made as of Monday evening. Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.