Forest Lodge: Victims identified after double shooting at Harold Park Hotel, police probe organised crime link

The two victims of a brazen double shooting at a pub in Sydney’s inner west have been identified, as police investigate possible connections to organised crime.

Emergency services were called to the Harold Hotel on Ross Street, Forest Lodge, around 6.40pm on Sunday, following reports of gunfire.

Upon arrival, police discovered two men had been shot multiple times before the suspected gunman fled the scene in a vehicle.

Gilbert Shino, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene after allegedly being targeted with up to 15 bullets, the Daily Telegraph reports.

His friend, Maradona Yalda, 31, survived the attack and was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in serious condition, which has since been downgraded to stable.

Mr Yalda had reportedly returned to Australia just four days before the shooting.

He is believed to have close ties to a former Comanchero bikie club member, who has since severed ties with the club.

Leichhardt Police Area Commander, Superintendent Alf Sergi, said the two victims had been ambushed in an “outrageous, brazen, callous attack”.

“Two victims attended the... hotel. They were making their way to the car, which was parked about 100 metres up the road,” he said on 2GB.

“As they got closer to the vehicle, they appear to have been ambushed. Shots fired.

“The 39-year-old male... he suffered gunshot wounds and fell to the ground. Police were nearby... they treated the man with the help of a doctor that was a resident nearby, and also paramedics, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds.

“The 31-year-old man was chased by the offender. He was shot a number of times. He slumped at the back of the hotel again.

“Police rendered first aid, assisted by some medical students who were in the pub as well, and an ambulance took him to hospital, and he’s in a stable condition at this point in time.”

The shots also narrowly missed a staff member working inside the pub.

“A bullet did hit a window and narrowly missed a female staff member… it’s a narrow street there, and also the pub nearby, obviously the bullets were flying in that direction. It would have been very, very frightening for them,” he said.

“We believe it’s a targeted attack, yes, based on one of the victim’s backgrounds with possible links to organised criminal networks.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Mr Sergi said at this stage, police believe only one person fired the shots.

There were up to 60 patrons inside the Harold Hotel at the time of the shooting.

Witnesses described seeing several assailants fleeing into a dark-coloured vehicle, which police are currently looking for.

“It is the shock, this happening so close to where you live. It is not a nice feeling. It is uneasy. The police came quickly,” one witness told the ABC.

Police have established a crime scene, and Leichhardt detectives – with assistance from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad – have commenced an investigation into the incident.

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