Matt Utai: Former Bulldogs, Wests Tigers NRL star fighting for life after ‘targeted’ shooting in Greenacre

Former NRL star Matt Utai is reportedly fighting for life after being shot at least twice in a “targeted” attack in south-western Sydney.

Emergency services locked down multiple areas of south-western Sydney on Tuesday morning after Utai received multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and leg outside a home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Residents woke to chaos in the streets after the gunshots hit Utai at around 6am outside the front of a suburban property in Macquarie Street, Greenacre.

NSW Police confirmed officers responded to an emergency public place shooting call and were told a man had been shot by the occupants of an SUV, which then sped away from the scene.

A short time later, police were called to Samuel Street, Wiley Park, following reports of a car fire where they found an SUV well alight.

The fire was extinguished and the car has been seized for forensic examination.

“The information I have received at the moment is that he suffered a gunshot wound to his lower leg and to the upper shoulder, chest area,” Superintendent Rodney Hart told a media briefing outside Bankstown Police Station on Tuesday morning.

“He was treated at the scene by ambulance, where he was stable, and he was taken to hospital, where he is currently in a serious but stable condition, and he is currently in surgery.”

Although not wanting to confirm Utai’s identity, police have confirmed they believe the shooting was a targeted attack, and his family remain in danger.

“Police have spoken to a number of neighbours and have canvassed the area for CCTV. Investigators from the Raptor Squad have attended this morning, and they have taken carriage of this crime, and a Strike Force has been established,” Supt. Hart said.

“I want to reassure the community that we strongly believe that this is a targeted attack. I know, throughout the media this morning, a certain high-profile person’s name has been put out as the victim.

“Unfortunately, at this time, I cannot confirm who that victim is. The reason for that is that the person is a victim of a violent shooting. He is currently undergoing surgery in the hospital, and our main focus at this moment is not only to identify who is involved in this but to ensure he and his family are safe.

“The person that is currently in hospital, he is known to police, but he has no criminal history. He has a small amount of traffic history, but at this stage, we do believe he may not be involved in any criminal activity.

“As part of this investigation, investigators will be looking into who he is involved with, who his family may be involved with and any links there may be to organised crime.”

When quizzed about the circumstances leading up to and after the shooting, police confirmed it appeared Utai was preparing to head off to work and was standing on the front lawn of his house when the ambush occurred.

“My understanding is he was on the front lawn, and he was in a fair amount of pain. He was able to speak to the police upon their arrival before the ambulance took over,” Supt. Hart said.

“This is definitely a concern, happening at 6am. There are people out and about going about their business. It is a brazen ambush of this male person who, from my understanding, was heading to his vehicle to go to work.

“We know that the majority of these are linked to the underworld, to organised crime, but it is concerning when innocent people are being injured.

“I believe the gentleman who has been injured lives at home with his wife and a number of children. I don’t know the age of the children, but I believe at the time of the shooting, there were other family members within the house,” Supt. Hart concluded.

Police have established crime scenes at both locations, with Bankstown detectives treating both incidents as linked.

Utai played 167 games in the NRL for the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers and was part of the 2004 NRL Premiership-winning Bulldogs side in their 16-13 victory over the Sydney Roosters.

The compact winger was also crowned the Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2003 after scoring 21 tries in 27 games.

2GB are reporting that CCTV shows five shots being fired at Utai who was hit by at least two bullets and people in the street are now packing their bags to temporarily relocate as crime gang wars escalate in the area.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.