An underworld crime figure gunned down in front of panicked bystanders in central Sydney was warned of a hit on his life just weeks earlier after he previously survived an attempted kidnapping.
Niddal Acherkouk, 31, learned about the contract out for his assassination less than three weeks before he was shot dead by two cloaked gunmen on Surry Hills’ Crown Street on Friday night.
Terrified families and diners were seen running for their lives as a series of gunshots rang down the crowded street until the gunmen, who remain on the run, finished the ‘meticulously planned’ execution.
The pair went to extreme lengths to keep their identities hidden by donning large, black ponchos, balaclavas, gloves and long pants which concealed their faces, skin colour and body shape.
They initially fired at Acherkouk’s car after waiting for the underworld figure at a BP service station, where police sources claim the men had been lying in wait for him to arrive.
Acherkouk, 30, managed to climb from the driver’s seat to the passenger one and scrambled from his vehicle before fleeing on foot.
The gunmen pursued him, firing as pedestrians fled into nearby stores to avoid getting caught up.
They gunned down Acherkouk before fleeing in a Porsche, which was found torched in nearby Kensington an hour after the shooting.
Niddal Acherkouk (pictured) was fatally shot by two gunmen in central Sydney on Friday night
The gunmen chased down Acherkouk on foot after shooting at his car at a BP service station
NSW Police previously revealed that that Acherkouk had links to underworld organisations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of the ‘targeted’ shooting that ended his life.
It’s since been revealed he was understood to be linked to the Comanchero motorcycle gang but wasn’t a member, sources told The Daily Telegraph.
Acherkouk’s death follows an incident last year which saw three men attempt to kidnap him.
Last July a man wearing a balaclava ran after Acherkouk as he left a Punchbowl gym and forced his way into his car.
The pair wrestled until the car crashed into the front window of the store, promoting three men in balaclavas to flee the scene in a white van.
Former NSW Police officer Glenn Gorrick said it begs belief that a member of the public wasn’t injured.
‘It’s an absolute miracle,’ he told the Today show.
He said the shooting being carried out in a public place was not only brazen, but a warning to other members of organised crime.
‘I have good confidence that there’s going to be more retaliatory behaviour by these criminal gangs,’ he said.
Police are now bracing for underworld retaliation as the desperate manhunt to track down the gunmen responsible continues.
‘This is an outrageous incident that demonstrated a high level of reckless indifference to the public that were in and around the area around that time,’ South Sydney Superintendent Andrew Garner told reporters on Saturday.
He added that Acherkouk suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body but couldn’t confirm how many shots were fired.
‘He was alone in his vehicle in the service station,’ he said.
‘After that he got out of the vehicle and went on foot down Cleveland Street where he has succumbed to his injuries.’
Images from the scene showed blood stains on the road near the Surry Hills service station
Niddal Acherkouk (pictured injured in the street) suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body. But police couldn’t confirm how many shots were fired
Supt Garner said the incident was ‘outrageous’ and demonstrated a lack of regard for public safety in a busy and crowded part of the city.
‘We’ll be working very hard to identify and arrest those involved and hold them to account,’ Supt Garner said.
‘(My message to them) … We’re coming for you.’
Images from the scene showed blood stains on the road near the service station.
Earlier, a blood-soaked white sheet was seen covering Acherkouk’s body as paramedics desperately worked to revive him.
Supt Garner said police are investigating the movements of the burnt-out vehicle.
NSW Police said in a statement on Friday night that the shooting and the burnt out car are believed to be linked.
Swarms of emergency responders, including police and at least five emergency vehicles were at the scene.
Officers secured the intersection of Cleveland and Bourke Streets before a police operation commenced.
Several people, who were inside one store, were forced to duck for cover at the sound of gunshots.
One local who was dining nearby told Daily Mail Australia she heard three gunshots go off in the direction of the BP.
NSW Police said on Saturday that Acherkouk had links to underworld organisations in Sydney and was known to police at the time of his death
Witnesses reported seeing the gunman jump from a car before the shooting, while another witness said they saw a ‘bloodied’ man after the incident.
Another man told the Daily Telegraph he heard ‘bang after bang’ and said ‘everyone just panicked’ as chaos ensued.
‘People running and screaming everywhere. It was surreal. Terrifying,’ he said.
Some businesses were forced to shut their doors for the night with local grocery store Harris Farm reportedly urging shoppers to leave.
Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
