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Family lucky to be alive after social media argument leads to shooting

Shae McDonaldNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

A mum and her four children are lucky to be alive after an argument over social media led to them being shot at from close range.

The 37-year-old was driving her kids, aged 17, 17, 16 and 12, along a road in Sydney’s southwest on Sunday night when they were ambushed by the occupants of a second vehicle.

Detective chief inspector Darren Sly said a man got out of the car and fired three shots at the Toyota Yaris.

“It’s an absolute miracle that none of them were injured,” he said on Monday.

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The mum continued driving but then crashed into another car, while the alleged shooter fled on foot.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos
Monday, 19 October 2020
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Sly pictured during a presser outside Bankstown Police Station addressing the media following a fatal shooting in Condell Park, Sydney this morning.
Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
Camera IconDetective chief inspector Darren Sly said this kind of escalation wouldn’t be tolerated by police or the community. NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Credit: Supplied

Det. Insp Sly said the incident was the result of escalation of an argument that had occurred in a social media chat.

“It’s obviously appalling that an argument can...end up in shots being fired and people using firearms or weapons,” he said.

“It’s something police won’t tolerate.”

It’s not yet known what the argument was about or how the alleged shooter located the family.

A 20-year-old man from Chester Hill was arrested on Monday and is assisting police with its enquiries.

The second occupant of the vehicle and the gun used in the shooting is yet to be located.

Originally published as Family lucky to be alive after social media argument leads to shooting

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