Greek-Australian man arrested after two-hour shooting rampage in Sydney

Australian authorities have arrested a 60-year-old Greek-Australian man after a two-hour shooting spree that left at least 16 people injured and caused widespread panic in the Sydney suburb of Croydon Park late Sunday night.
Police say the man, identified as Artemios Mintzas, fired around 50 rounds indiscriminately at pedestrians, cars, and nearby buildings before being captured by New South Wales Police special operations officers shortly after 9:30 p.m. local time.
Barricaded inside an apartment
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), officers exchanged gunfire with Mintzas, who had barricaded himself inside an apartment above a shop, firing a 7.62-millimeter rifle into the street below. The attack damaged 13 vehicles and a bus stop, prompting what police described as an “extremely dangerous operation.”
Mintzas was slightly injured in the eye by shattered glass and taken under guard to Bankstown Hospital, where he underwent psychiatric evaluation.
Facing 25 charges, including attempted murder
Authorities have charged the suspect with 25 offenses, including multiple counts of attempted murder, possession of a loaded firearm, and use of a weapon to resist arrest.
Of the 16 injured, five remain hospitalized. Most sustained minor wounds from glass fragments or shock, but one man in his 50s suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and underwent emergency surgery. Police said his condition is now stable.
No sign of organized crime or terrorism
Deputy Commissioner Stephen Parry said the man is cooperating with investigators and had no prior record of violence or mental illness. “It’s incredible that no one was killed,” Parry said. “In 35 years of service, I’ve seen very few cases where someone fires randomly at people on the street.”
Police have found no evidence linking the attack to organized crime, terrorism, drugs, or alcohol. Investigators are now examining how Mintzas obtained the weapon and whether he held a valid firearms license.
Witnesses describe chaos
Local residents described the scene as chaotic. Aysegul, owner of the nearby Croydon Park Kebab House, said she first heard two gunshots before a sudden barrage erupted.
“Suddenly it was nonstop ‘bang, bang, bang’ — the smell of gunpowder filled the shop,” she told reporters. She and her customers hid inside until police cleared the area around 10 p.m.
By Monday morning, the streets resembled a “war zone,” with bullet holes in walls, shattered glass, and police tape marking the site of the confrontation.
“Unprecedented for Sydney”
Deputy Commissioner Trent King called the event “unprecedented for Sydney,” noting how rare it is for such a high number of shots to be fired without any loss of life.
Local resident Matt Ioco, who works at a nearby veterinary clinic, said he narrowly avoided the gunfire. “It’s terrifying to think that if I’d passed by just a few minutes earlier, I might not be here today,” he told local media.
Mintzas has been denied bail and is expected to appear before the Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.
tovima