![\"Greenacre](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/7cd829e2aee23b265332214c8a5b4a75.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nFormer NRL winger Matt Utai has been shot in a drive-by shooting in Sydney’s west this morning.<\/p>\n
Emergency services were called to a Greenacre street about 6am after reports of a public place shooting.<\/p>\n
Police have been told Mr Utai, who played for the Tigers and Bulldogs, was shot outside a home on the street by the occupants of an SUV, before they fled the scene.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious condition after being treated on the scene by paramedics after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.<\/p>\n
“I heard like five gunshots,” neighbour Habebeh said.<\/p>\n
“So we walked down and I see the guy on the floor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Police combing over the scene in Greenacre this morning. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)<\/p>\n
“I woke up from the noise and the guy screaming.”<\/p>\n
Police said an SUV was located on fire a short time later on Samuel Street, Wiley Park and detectives believe it is linked to the shooting.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Bankstown Police Area Commander Rodney Hart said Mr Utai was not involved in organised crime.<\/p>\n
“He’s known to police, but he has no criminal history,” Superintendent Hart said.<\/p>\n
“He has a small amount of traffic history, but at least we do believe that he may not be involved in any [criminal] activity.”<\/p>\n
Mr Utai was shot in the leg and shoulder and is undergoing surgery in hospital.<\/p>\n
The NSW Police’s bikie-focused unit, Strike Force Raptor, has taken over the investigation, Superintendent Hart said.<\/p>\n
Look back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live
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29m agoMon 16 Feb 2026 at 11:07pm<\/p>\n
Update concludes<\/p>\n
That’s it from Superintendent Hart.<\/p>\n