Crime boss dead after ‘execution-style’ shooting
NOTORIOUS crime figure Bilal Hamze has been shot dead in Sydney’s CBD in a “brutal, execution-style murder”.
Hamze, 34, was gunned down in as he left an address near Circular Quay about 10.25pm on Thursday when someone opened fire from a black vehicle.
Police are investigating whether the hit is linked to an ongoing feud between warring Sydney crime families, or possibly related to fallout from Operation Ironside busts last week.
Hamze, who knew he had a contract on his head, was the cousin of Brothers 4 Life founder Bassam Hamzy. He is the second member of the family to be shot dead since October.
Police believe the gunman escaped in an Audi and the killer remains on the run. A vehicle was later found burnt out at Northwood on Sydney’s north shore. A strike force has been established and detectives remained at the scene on Friday morning.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the shooting was a “major escalation” in the string of attacks that have rocked Sydney in the past 12 months.