Former bikie boss Mahmoud ‘Mick’ Hawi shot at Fitness First gym in Rockdale
Hawi is on life support but has been declared brain dead. It is believed Hawi suffered multiple heart attacks after being shot.
Police and paramedics were called to the premises in Botany Road, Rockdale just after midday after reports a man had been shot.
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About 12.10 this afternoon, NSW Ambulance paramedics responded to reports of a man with a gunshot wound in Rockdale.
NSW Ambulance Superintendent Greg Price said the man was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived.
“Four paramedic units were on scene within seven minutes,” Supt. Price said.
“The patient was transported to hospital within six minutes from arrival on scene.
“The scene was very confronting for emergency service personnel. The paramedics performed their role to a high standard.”
Police are investigating if a car destroyed by fire only a kilometre from the shooting is linked. Firefighters were called to Chandler St, Kogarah at 12.10pm.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said fire also damaged a nearby garage.
Police are maintaining a strong presence outside St George Hospital Emerency with numerous public order and riot officers in attendance.
Police were stopping every car entering the emergency carpark and speaking with the driver.
A group of six public order and riot squad officers are guarding the emergency ambulance bay as family and friends continue to arrive at the hospital where Hawi is on life support.
Owner of IYN Physiotherapy Reshan Mutukrishna said he heard at least “four bangs” just after 12pm but didn’t take any notice as the gymgoers “liked to get attention”.
“We heard a loud bang, bangs repetitively — I just thought it was someone dropping the weights in the gym as you would expect,” he said.
“Then I heard a lot of commotion, a lot of screaming, a lot of shouting but I didn’t take too much notice I thought maybe someone had fallen in the gym.”
The physiotherapist went outside and saw a crowd had already gathered to attend to the wounded man with emergency services arriving and the gym “going into lockdown”.
Mr Mutukrishna said “Mick” was a regular at the gym and that his colleague had treated him previously, but that he didn’t know him personally.
“It’s shocking, it’s sad I guess, but it’s not surprising,” he said.
The former president of the Comanchero motorcycle gang, Hawi was imprisoned in 2012 for his role in the infamous Sydney Airport brawl in which his gang stabbed and bludgeoned rival bikie Anthony Zervas to death in the domestic departures hall.
Hawi was originally found guilty of murder, but his conviction was overturned on appeal and he plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
He was released in 2015 after a board approved his parole based on his “satisfactory prison performance”.
Conditions of his bail included him not associating with outlaw motorcycle gangs, or frequenting bikie-owned premises.
He was also not to possess a firearm or use illegal drugs.
Hawi began his relationship with his wife, Carolina Gonzales, in 1995 while they were both still at school. In 2002 they were married and have two sons together aged 8 and 2½.
Their second son was born shortly after Hawi was arrested for murder and remanded in custody.
Prior to his incarceration they were living together at their home at Bexley.
A Fitness First spokesman said: “Fitness First is aware that a shooting occurred in the car park outside its Rockdale gym this morning, Thursday 15 February. We are fully complying with the police investigation and as a result we have closed this facility until further notice. Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation we are unable to provide further details at this time. Our priority is ensuring our staff and members are provided the right support at this time.”