Police say a 17-year-old boy fired 30 rounds at the advertised venue of a wake for slain Sydney crime boss Lorenzo Lemalu at the weekend.
The 17-year-old is one of two people charged over the shooting at the venue in Sydney’s south-west.
Police on Saturday afternoon responded to reports shots had been fired at a Punchbowl venue, with video shared on social media appearing to show gunmen shooting from inside a car at the property.
No injuries were reported.
No injuries were reported after the shooting. (ABC News)
The venue had been advertised as the location of Lemalu’s funeral, but plans changed and the memorial was held at Lakemba Mosque on Sunday.
Police believe Lemalu was the head of the so-called “Coconut Cartel”, a gang involved in tit-for-tat shootings with the Alameddine crime family and whose name comes from a historic slur against Pasifika people.
Lemalu was shot dead in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on May 21 in an attack that two Samoan men have since confessed on Vietnamese TV to committing.
Police were also called to nearby Gillian Place in Punchbowl after reports of a fire on Saturday, and found an abandoned car alight.
Lorenzo’s Lemalu’s wake on Sunday went ahead after a heavy police presence surrounding his funeral at Lakemba.
Following police inquiries, a 17-year-old boy was arrested during a vehicle stop in Picnic Point on Monday afternoon.
He was charged with firing a firearm at a dwelling etc in organised crime activity, damaging a property by fire/explosive and participating in a group contributing to criminal activity.
He was refused bail and was due to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday.
A 23-year-old man was also arrested during searches on Monday at Airds and Busby, in which police allegedly seized ammunition.
The man was charged with firing a firearm at not dwelling, disregarding safety and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail and was due to appear in court on Tuesday.
Arrested teen allegedly the gunman
Superintendent Box addressing the media on Tuesday over the arrest of two people. (ABC News)
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Detective Superintendent Jason Box said police would allege the 17-year-old arrested on Monday was the gunman who fired on the venue.
“We allege that this 17-year-old male was the person who fired close to 30 rounds from that vehicle,” he said.
Police said vision of the shooting helped lead to the arrests. (ABC News)
When asked about footage posted on a gangland social media page showing the shooting, Superintendent Box said detectives used it as a tool to track down the pair who had since been arrested.
“That footage … shows, if anything, a total disregard for public safety. They were laughing throughout,” he said.
“Close to 30 rounds were shot in this premises. They had no indication if it was occupied or not.”
Sydney’s era of ‘disorganised crime’
Superintendent Box warned a third person wanted by police over the shooting, and the two already in custody, could face reprisals from the underworld gangs they were contracted to attack.
“The best option is to hand yourself in. We know who you are. We will find you,” Superintendent Box said.
“Not only have they got the concern about going to jail for an extended period, they’ve also got to consider that they’ve committed serious acts of violence on behalf of organised crime networks against other organised crime networks.
“They’ve been identified now, and they themselves, their friends, their families and associates will become targets. It’s not going to get any easier from here on in.”
Lemalu’s remains were returned to his family last week and a small crowd of mourners attended Lakemba Mosque on Sunday under a heavy police presence.
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Tue 9 Jun 2026 at 2:46pm
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Press conference ends
That’s all from Detective Superintendent Jason Box on the Punchbowl shooting.
For more information on this story, you can keep up to date via ABC News website.
Tue 9 Jun 2026 at 2:45pm
Tue 9 Jun 2026 at 2:45pm
One person still sought by police
Superintendent Box said detectives were looking for one person who assisted the alleged gunman and getaway driver.
He warned not only are they wanted by police, the underworld crime groups they are targeting may now also seek retribution.
“The best option is to hand yourself in. We know who you are. We will find you,” Superintendent Box said.
“And we have police out there looking for you at the moment. And I think it’s a lot easier for you just to take yourself in.
“For him and for the other person that has been arrested and the other two, for that matter, once they are identified and before the courts not only have they got the concern about going to jail for an extended period, they’ve also got to consider that they’ve committed serious acts of violence on behalf of organised crime networks against other organised crime networks.
“They’ve been identified now, and they themselves, their friends, their families and associates will become targets. It’s not going to get any easier from here on in.”
Tue 9 Jun 2026 at 2:42pm
Tue 9 Jun 2026 at 2:42pm
Footage helped track pair down
Superintendent Box is being asked about footage that circulated on a gangland social media page showing the gunman laughing as he fired into the Punchbowl venue.
He said the voice heard on the footage was a tool detectives used to track down the teenager and 23-year-old arrested yesterday.
“That footage which are saying shows, if anything, a total disregard for public safety. They were laughing throughout,” Superintendent Box said.
“Close to 30 rounds were shot in this premises. They had no indication if it was occupied or not.”
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