Former NRL player Matt Utai is in serious condition after being shot in a drive-by shooting in Sydney’s southwest on Tuesday morning. The 44-year-old, who represented both New Zealand and Samoa internationally, was shot in the leg and shoulder while near his home in Greenacre, prompting a police investigation and the involvement of the state’s bikie-focused Raptor Squad.
Emergency services were called to Macquarie Street in Greenacre around 6:00 am following reports of multiple gunshots. Utai was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery, according to police. The shooting has been described by authorities as a “brazen ambush,” and is currently being treated as a targeted attack.
Bankstown Police Area Commander Rodney Hart told reporters that Utai has no prior criminal record, aside from some traffic violations. “At this stage, we do believe that he may not be involved in any criminal activity,” Superintendent Hart stated. Yet, investigators are exploring potential links to organized crime, examining Utai’s connections and those of his family.
A vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting was later found on fire on Samuel Street in Wiley Park. Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, and the vehicle has been seized for forensic examination, according to police. Crime scenes have been established at both locations as detectives continue their investigation.
Neighbour Habebeh described hearing the gunfire. “I heard like five gunshots,” she said. “So we walked down and I see the guy on the floor. I woke up from the noise and the guy screaming.”
Police combing over the scene in Greenacre this morning. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)
Investigation Focuses on Potential Gang Links
While police maintain Utai is not currently believed to be involved in criminal activity, reports suggest investigators are examining potential connections between the former player and a notorious crime family through his son, Iziah Utai. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that police are probing these links as part of their investigation into the escalating gang war.
Utai’s Rugby League Career
Matt Utai enjoyed a successful rugby league career, playing 127 NRL games for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and 40 games for the Wests Tigers. He retired from the NRL in 2013. He also represented New Zealand on four occasions between 2002 and 2005, all matches against Australia, and played three times for Samoa.
No Ongoing Threat to the Community, Police Say
Superintendent Hart emphasized that, at this time, police do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the wider community. “We believe, at this point in time, that it’s definitely a targeted attack,” he said. The NSW Police’s bikie-focused unit, Strike Force Raptor, has taken over the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interviews with witnesses in an effort to identify the occupants of the SUV and determine the motive behind the attack.
As Utai recovers from his injuries, the focus remains on identifying those responsible for this violent act and bringing them to justice. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing gang-related violence in Sydney’s southwest.
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