A man has been shot dead and a second is in a serious condition following a "gutless" shooting in a western Sydney park where up to 10 people were gathered, including children, police say.
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Police swarmed Western Sydney Parklands off Cowpasture Road in Wetherill Park after multiple gunshots rang out just after 5.10pm on Friday evening.
Fairfield Local Area Command Detective Superintendent Peter Lennon said at least one family with children was nearby when several men arrived in a car at Lizard Log park and started shooting at another group of men that had parked in the carpark.
A 20-year-old man was killed by a shot to the head, and a 18-year-old man is in a stable condition at Liverpool Hospital after he was shot in the chest. Superintendent Lennon said both were passengers of the parked car.
"It's very, very concerning that this sort of thing has happened in relative broad daylight in a recreation area," he said. "It's a completely gutless attack targeted by these people taking out their arguments in a public place.
"I was appalled that there were up to 10 people in the park at the time of the shooting; these are people who were going about their business, enjoying time together before Christmas.
"It is unacceptable that these people have been put at risk in what is – in reality – an incident I'd describe as gutless and appalling."
Superintendent Lennon said the car believed to be carrying the shooters fled the scene, and police on Friday had no description of the car or the individuals involved.
He said the gunshot victims were well known to local police and state crime command, but the relationship between the two groups wasn't clear.
An extensive crime scene has been established in the park, which is being examined by specialist forensic officers. Superintendent Lennon said Strike Force Jacoby had been formed to investigate the shootings.
Aerial footage from the scene on Friday evening appeared to show one person on the ground covered in a white sheet.
Two shirtless men were seen leaning against a wire fence at the scene as police combed the area.
The Dog Squad appeared to be searching the large bushland area.
Wetherill Park: Two people shot near Cowpasture Road. One person dead. Update on 7 News at 6pm. https://t.co/eHlgNPdFE7 #WetherillPark pic.twitter.com/3BKxLK4LO8— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 23, 2016
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/.
