Police block off a street at Bondi Junction on Tuesday after the fatal shooting of Sydney underworld figure Alen Moradian. Photo: AFP
Detectives have found a firearm left behind at one of the crime scenes after Tuesday's shooting death of a prominent Sydney underworld figure, which may be the potential murder weapon.
Convicted drug kingpin Alen Moradian was found dead inside a car in a Bondi Junction car park on Tuesday morning.
Police believe the brazen daylight attack was a "well-planned execution", saying the victim had a "big target on his back".
A partially burnt-out luxury Porsche was found abandoned in nearby James street with its doors flung open. The ABC understands officers also found a pistol left behind there at that second crime scene.
It's been sent off for forensic examination to determine whether it was the murder weapon, and to analyse it for fingerprints.
The fire damaged Porsche along with another car found at Zetland shortly after the shooting, are also being forensically examined as police attempt to track down those responsible for the latest underworld killing.
The Homicide Squad's boss, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said the 48-year-old Bondi Junction resident was a "high-level" criminal figure with close links to the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang.
He described the shooting as bearing the hallmarks of an organised crime killing.
"We're saying this is a well-planned execution murder of a high-level criminal identity," he said.
"He has strong, high-level links to the Comanchero. He also has high standing in the organised crime network. He's a major player with a big target."
Moradian's death marks the 20th fatal shooting police have linked to organised crime in Sydney since August 2020.
Several of the 20 had identified links to the Comanchero including former member Fares Abounader, who died in August 2020, and "loose" associate Marvin Oraiha who died this year.
Authorities have described the Comanchero as the country's most powerful organised crime force.
The Premier Chris Minns called the latest display of gangland violence "disgraceful".
"This was a very public, violent crime and we've been assured by the NSW Police it will be met with the full force of the law," he said.
The police tape was taken down from the main crime scene in Bondi Junction on Monday night more than 12 hours after the deadly shooting, with the street re-opened to the public.
Police believe at least two gunmen are on the loose and are examining CCTV vision from the area around the time of the shooting but also in the days leading up to it.
Officers are also bracing for any possible backlash after the execution of the cocaine kingpin.
"There's police out there now knocking on doors to make sure there's no retaliation or escalation," Det Supt Doherty said.
Who is Alen Moradian?
Moradian was considered by the NSW District Court to hold a "significant" role in the so-called Golden Gun drug ring.
It was named after a gold-plated pistol which was found during a raid on one of Moradian's co-conspirators.
After his arrest, Moradian surrendered a substantial stash of firearms, including a machine gun, submachine guns, a grenade launcher, a grenade, automatic rifles, pistols and a revolver.
Moradian in 2011 was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in jail after pleading guilty to importing between 40 and 60 kilograms of pure cocaine in 2006.
He also admitted to dealing with more than A$1.6 million in the proceeds of crime.
Having spent time in custody since 2007, Moradian wrote letters to Judge Andrew Haesler before his sentencing, expressing a desire to "start afresh", while prison reports stated he had "sound plans" for the future.
He was first eligible for parole in December 2017.
What next?
Superintendent Doherty would not be drawn on speculating over similarities to other gangland shootings this year, but asked any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
"We're focusing all our attention at the moment on obtaining CCTV and witnesses and gaining as much information as we can at the moment," he said.
"[Police are] appealing to anyone who may have seen something or heard something, not only at the time but in the days leading up to the shooting, or immediately after the shooting."
Despite the shocking nature of the brazen daylight attack, police have reassured local residents that the Raptor Squad and Operation Talon are working with local authorities, who continue to comb through the three separate crime scenes.
"I just like to allay the fears [of] anyone in the Bondi Junction area … as we know this is Tuesday morning at Bondi Junction, we don't expect it to happen, we don't expect it to happen anywhere," Superintendent Doherty said.
* This story was first published by the ABC
