Tarek Ayoub: Underworld figure known as ‘angel of death’ identified as man shot dead in Parramatta shooting

A 29-year-old man who was shot dead on Monday morning has been identified as underworld figure Tarek Ayoub, with police revealing he was known as the ‘angel of death’.

Emergency services were called to Harold Street in Parramatta around 3.30a.m on Monday, following reports of a shooting.

Paramedics arrived to find a 29-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers from the Parramatta police area command have established a crime scene, which is being examined by specialist forensic teams.

NSW Police Det-Supt. Danny Doherty said the 29-year-old’s death was “no surprise”.

“He was known colloquially as the Angel of Death,” he said.

“He lived by the sword. Died by the sword.

“There’s no surprise to police that he was murdered in the way he has been murdered.

“He was shot down in a hail of bullets in the car park.

“When I say multiple times, it’s a large number of shots that have been fired.”

Mr Doherty said NSW Police said the list of suspects will be long.

“He was a person who was very well-known for being involved in organised crime. He had links and associations who were known to police, (there were) many investigations where his name had popped up, so the list of suspects could be long and the reasons why he was killed just as long,” Mr Doherty said.

“There was a large amount of ballistic evidence there, so this was a message sent to Tarek Ayoub and it certainly was received.

“It was very loud and clear they meant to kill him and left a large number of cases behind to show they mean business.”

Earlier, 7NEWS reporter Liam Tapper said locals described the incident as a “flurry of bullets”.

“Police sources have told me that he was allegedly a high-ranking member of the Haouchar family, one of the biggest organised crime families in Sydney,” he said.

“They’re currently at war with the Comanchero bikie gang.

“Police are investigating whether this was an act of retribution or retaliation in this ongoing turf war that we have here in Sydney over crime and drugs.”

The shooting marks Sydney’s first gang killing since February.

Ayoub pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder of Brayden Dillain, a teen who was shot dead in his sleep at a Glenfield residence in 2017. He concealed information related to the murder.

Burnt car possibly linked

At approximately 3.45am on Monday, a car fire was reported on Abeckett Street, Granville.

Police from the Cumberland police area command responded to find a stolen sedan engulfed in flames. Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguished the fire.

Police have also set up a crime scene at this location and are investigating, with reports indicating that two men were seen leaving the scene in another vehicle.

Police are set to give an update later on Monday morning.

Detectives are calling for anyone with information, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward. They are encouraged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.