A Greek Australian man was arrested in Australia after an unprecedented shooting incident in Sydney that left at least 16 people injured and spread terror through the suburb of Croydon Park.

The 60‑year‑old Artemios Mintzas, father of two, who lives alone and works for the Sydney railways, reportedly fired around 50 shots at pedestrians, vehicles, and buildings before being apprehended by New South Wales Police tactical units late Sunday evening.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the area was cordoned off for over two hours, during which officers exchanged fire with the gunman in what authorities described as an “extremely dangerous operation.” Mintzas, according to police, had barricaded himself and was firing “indiscriminately” with a 7.62 mm shotgun from a window of an apartment above a business, causing damage to 13 vehicles and a bus stop.

By 9:30 PM local time (5:30 AM Greek time), and after the shooting spree began around 7:45 PM local (3:45 AM Greek time), special forces stormed the apartment and arrested him. The 60‑year‑old was lightly injured—mainly by glass fragments to his eye—and was taken to Bankstown Hospital, where he was guarded and underwent psychiatric evaluation.

Mintzas faces 25 charges in total, including 18 counts of intentional discharge of a firearm with intent to murder, possession of a loaded weapon, and use of a firearm to evade arrest. New South Wales Police say 16 people were injured, of whom five remain hospitalized.

Most sustained injuries from shrapnel or shock, while one man in his 50s suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and underwent emergency surgery. Fortunately, his life is not believed to be at risk.

Deputy Commissioner Steven Parr said the Greek Australian “is cooperating and speaking freely” with authorities, adding that in the past 20 years he had minimal contact with police and no recorded mental health history. “It is incredible that no one died. In 35 years of service, I have seen few cases where someone fires randomly at people in the street,” he remarked.

The police confirm there is no indication the incident is linked to organized crime, terrorism, alcohol, or drugs, and are investigating how Mintzas obtained the weapon and whether he possessed a valid firearm license.

“It looked like a war zone”

Local residents described scenes of chaos and horror. Aysegul, owner of the “Croydon Park Kebab House” located next to the suspect’s apartment, said she first heard two shots and didn’t realize what was happening. “Then suddenly an endless ‘bang, bang, bang’ began, nonstop,” she recounted, adding the smell of gunpowder entered the shop.

She and customers locked themselves inside the restaurant until about 10 PM under police instructions. By Monday morning, the neighborhood looked like a war zone: bullet holes in walls, shattered windows, and signs of the police operation.

Unprecedented for Sydney

Deputy Commissioner Trent King called the incident “unprecedented for Sydney,” noting that it is extremely rare to have so many gunshots with no fatalities.

Local resident Matt Ioko, who works at a veterinary clinic near the apartment, said he arrived shortly after 8 PM to find the road blocked. “It was terrifying to think that if I had passed through a few minutes earlier, I might not be here today,” he said, according to Ethnikos Kirikas.

Mintzas was denied bail and is expected to appear in the Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.

Investigations are ongoing.