Numerous victims suffered facial injuries caused by glass broken in the shooting that started about 7.30pm at Croydon Park.

Parry said that, following initial calls from residents who could hear gun shots, local police rushed to the apartment building on Georges River Road, with the man continuing to fire.

The bullets narrowly missed them, but their police car was struck, Parry alleged.

“The police were actually outside their vehicle when they were first shot at. They’ve retreated tactically and safely,” he said.

Parry said there were two active crime scenes, including the apartment and an adjacent business on Georges River Road. He said examination of the crime scenes would determine the number of gunshots, but said an estimated 50 bullets were fired, including those fired by police. Police initially estimated there may have been 100 rounds discharged.

It’s not known if the man held a firearm licence, Parry said.

Locals said more than 30 police vehicles arrived in the area, and special tactical police were also deployed. Officers developed a plan to storm the building and arrested the man two hours later, seizing the weapon.

A man is taken away from the scene after the Croydon Park shooting.Credit: Nine News

“A long arm, high-calibre rifle has been seized from the scene. At this stage, there are a number of vehicles, a number of premises, which have seen sustained gunshot damage,” Parry said.

A motive is yet to be determined, though Parry said the attack was not motivated against police. Police have not found any manifestos or documentation that would point to a motive, and the man had no reported mental health history with police.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said it was a “serious and terrifying incident for those involved”, and the attack had “no known link” to terrorism or gang activity.

“I’ve seen body worn footage where police were forced to take cover while trying to assist members of the public,” Lanyon told 2GB on Monday morning.

‘Some guy’s windshield blew up, then the bus stop glass shattered.’

Witness Joe Azar

“To show that sort of bravery, to put their lives in danger to assist members of the public is probably the greatest honour we can do as police officers.”

Lanyon was joined by Premier Chris Minns at Burwood Police Station on Sunday night. Minns visited the responders after the NRL grand final.

Minns praised the police and emergency services who faced the “confronting and dangerous situation”, saying they responded “without hesitation to protect the community”.

“There is no place for this sort of violence in our state,” Minns said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King said police were investigating how the suspect procured the firearm and ammunition used in the shooting, calling it a “horrific situation” that was “almost unprecedented in Sydney”.

“I’m certainly proud in terms of the police response,” King told Nine’s Today program on Monday. “It could have been far worse.”

NSW Police Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry speaks outside Burwood police station on Sunday night to give an update on the Croydon Park shooting.Credit: Staff

NSW Ambulance Superintendent John Millevoi said one alleged victim in their 50s presented to Canterbury Hospital with gunshot wounds to their neck and chest, and was then taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The person underwent surgery on Sunday night.

“From the information I heard, [they were] in a critical condition,” Millevoi said.

Three patients with less serious injuries also attended Campsie police station, he said. Two of those had facial injuries caused by broken glass and were taken to Canterbury Hospital.

Paramedics also treated 13 people at the scene for shock, and two others with facial injuries caused by shattered glass.

Local Michelle said she was walking along the street when bullets started flying, hitting concrete within a metre of her.

“I saw the bullets had hit, and the cement had actually sprayed out,” she said. “We thought ‘he’s firing bullets, those are bullets.’”

Croydon Park local Michelle said a bullet narrowly missed her.Credit: Nine News

Office worker Joe Azar said he was working in the Citywide Lending mortgage broker across the road when he heard what he thought were fireworks or rocks being thrown at the windows.

He said his group tried to leave the building before realising they were gunshots.

“Some guy’s windshield blew up, then the bus stop glass shattered,” Azar said. “The surreal feeling kicked in like, ‘Oh, this is what’s happening’.”

Azar said the group ran back inside, lay on the ground and called police, with officers arriving as they tried to figure out where the gunman was. He said they were told over the phone to stay on the floor.

“It was frantic … it all happened so quick, so I couldn’t comprehend what was going on,” he said.

Azar said about one hour after the shooting stopped, police gave them the all-clear to exit the building.

Local Matt Iocco said he heard loud bangs on Georges River Road.

“People ducked behind cars and hid,” Iocco said. “There were a lot of shots at first, but then you had the occasional [bang].”

During the chaos, text messages were sent to residents as a police helicopter circled overhead.

“The public is urged to shelter in place,” the text read. Motorists were also urged to stay away.

Georges River Road was closed between Croydon Avenue and Seymour Street on Sunday night, and Brighton Avenue was closed between Georges River Road and Queensborough Road. They have since reopened.

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