The staggering list of charges levelled at man accused of shooting at people from the window of his Sydney unit

A man has been charged with more than two-dozen offences following a terrifying alleged public shooting in Sydney’s inner-west. 

Artemios Mintzas, 60, was arrested about 9.30pm on Sunday after allegedly opening fire from a unit in Croydon Park onto the street below.

He was taken into hospital under police guard for injuries sustained during his arrest before being charged at Burwood Police Station on Monday. 

He was charged with 25 offences including 18 counts of shooting at with intent to murder, discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest and firing a firearm in or near a public place.

Other charges included firing a firearm at a dwelling-house with disregard for safety and a range of gun-related offences.  

The 60-year-old has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday as investigations continue. 

Police rushed to Croydon Park at about 7.45pm on Sunday following reports of gunfire, while roads were closed off to motorists. 

Some 16 people were treated by paramedics at the scene and several rushed to hospital, including one man who was reportedly in a serious condition. 

The alleged gunman was arrested in a unit above a business on Georges River Road about 9.30pm where police allegedly seized a rifle and ammunition.

The arrest capped an hours-long police operation, with streets closed down to motorists as tactical police swarmed the area. 

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told 2GB on Monday there was ‘no known link’ between the shooting and terrorist ideology or gang activity.

‘I’ve seen body-worn footage from a number of police. (They) were forced to seek cover while they tried to provide assistance to members of the public,’ he said. 

‘Vehicles were being shot at and there were several volleys of shots fired whilst police were attending.

‘On the body cam footage you can see the police taking cover, you can hear numerous gunshots and impact not too far from the camera.’

Witnesses reported shots being fired near a McDonald’s restaurant. A number of cars were hit with bullets including a police vehicle that responded to the callout.

More loud bangs were heard about 9.15pm, well after tactical police arrived at the scene. 

NSW Police acting Superintendent Stephen Parry said officers who rushed to the apartment building were fired upon from the window of a building on Georges River Road.

He said the bullets narrowly missed the officers, but hit their police vehicle.

Taxi driver Nick said he had been driving in the area when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets.

‘As I was driving by I just heard a ‘bang, bang, bang’ on the passenger side of the taxi, and then I looked next to me and I saw a couple of holes in the window and I didn’t even realise there was actually a hole in the roof as well,’ he said.

‘I smelled the gunpowder, but I assumed because it was grand final night that somebody had thrown firecrackers.

‘So I pulled up near the corner but then I thought maybe it’s not safe, because I kept hearing the shooting noises. So I pulled up near McDonald’s and I realised it was real shots.’

A NSW Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail a man aged in his 50s self-presented to Canterbury Hospital with a gunshot wound. 

The man was later transferred to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious condition where he underwent surgery overnight. 

As of Monday, he remained in a serious condition. 

NSW Ambulance paramedics also treated another three people for minor injuries before transporting them to Canterbury Hospital.  

Two others self-presented to a nearby police station with minor injuries while another has been transported to a nearby hospital with unconfirmed injuries. 

Paramedics were pictured attending to an individual in a stretcher at the scene of the shooting. 

Multiple vehicles, including a police car, also sustained damage after reportedly being shot at.

‘The police were actually outside their vehicle when they were first shot at. They’ve retreated tactically and safely,’ a NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

Superintendent Parry said the man was firing shots ‘indiscriminately’ at passing vehicles, including police cars. 

‘There could have been anywhere between 50 and 100 shots (that) had been discharged at the time,’ Superintendent Parry said

‘He was shooting … from within the premises, out of a window. [That] is what we believe,’ he said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King claimed the shooting was ‘almost unprecedented in Sydney’. 

Mr King labelled the incident as ‘horrific’ and explained police did not currently have a motive for the incident.   

‘It’s a high-calibre rifle that he used for the incident as well,’ Mr King told Today on Monday. 

‘Very, very concerning. That’s certainly part of the investigation that’s commencing today.’

Mr King said the man allegedly opened fire at officers once they arrived at the scene.

Residents were warned to ‘shelter in place’ while the major police operation unfolded, including the involvement of police helicopters and an armoured Bearcat vehicle. 

Authorities issued a text to residents in the area urging the public to take shelter or remain in their houses.

Road closures remained in place until well after 11pm, including stretches of Georges River Road and Brighton Avenue.

A police Polair helicopter circled overhead and relayed a similar message to those on the streets below to remain indoors. 

Concerned residents posted to social media checking in on friends and family with some declaring Sydney isn’t safe because of the amount of shootings.