Dramatic moment man is arrested at Sydney Airport over the alleged gangland murder of a celebrity chauffeur gunned down outside an MMA gym in front of his 12-year-old son – just as he was about to leave the country
- Detectives made an arrest over Taha Sabbagh shooting
A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly being involved in the shooting of a father and celebrity chauffer outside a Sydney gym.
Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street, in Sefton, western Sydney, on March 2.
Mr Sabbagh had been dropping his 12-year-old son off at the gym in his black Mercedes SUV at about 6.30am when at least two alleged gunmen opened fire.
Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street, in Sefton, western Sydney
Detectives on Sunday arrested a man (pictured) as he prepared to board a flight out of Australia at Sydney International Airport
Mr Sabbagh had parked his black Mercedes SUV outside the Elite Fight Force gym (pictured) in Sefton when alleged gunmen opened fire
Detectives on Sunday arrested the man about 3.30pm as he was preparing to board a plane out of the country at Sydney International Airport.
The man has been detained at Surrey Hills Police Station where he is expected to be charged with Mr Sabbagh’s murder.
Mr Sabbagh’s uncle Nasser Sabbagh previously told Daily Mail Australia the luxury car driver wrapped his arms around his son to protect him as he was shot.
‘Why do people kill other people? He’s a good man. Quiet man. No criminal record,’ he said.
Another relative said he wanted Mr Sabbagh to be remembered as a ‘father, brother, uncle, and cousin’.
A witness claimed they heard at least six gunshots and the sound of a car screeching away. A Mazda 3 was later found burnt out at nearby Birrong Train Station.
The witness, who works in an office nearby, said they rushed to the scene and found the 12-year-boy yelling for someone to help his father who was slumped over the steering wheel.
Paramedics desperately tried to revive Mr Sabbagh, who was a regular at the MMA gym, but he died at the scene.
Mr Sabbagh was a top driver for several luxury chauffeur services around Sydney, regularly ferrying high-level clients to meetings and parties, and cashed-up couples to weddings.
Mr Sabbagh was a top driver for several luxury chauffeur services around Sydney, regularly ferrying high-level clients to meetings and parties (pictured with social media star Hasbulla)
Police on the scene on March 2 after the alleged shooting outside the Sefton gym
A burnt out car was found shortly after the alleged shooting at Birrong Train Station