CCTV footage has captured the moment nine gunshots rang out in a reported gangland attack that killed former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian.
Mokhtarian, who fought twice in the UFC in 2018 and 2019 before becoming a well-respected MMA coach, was walking on a suburban street in Sydney’s west, Australia, on Wednesday afternoon when he was shot.
Emergency services were called to the area in Riverstone, where they found the 33-year-old with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"A man has died in a public place shooting in Sydney's west today," a NSW Police statement read. "About 6pm today, emergency services were called to Annaluke Street, Riverstone, following reports of a shooting.
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"Officers attached to Riverstone Police Area Command attended and found a man suffering gunshot wounds. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene. The man is yet to be formally identified."
The statement added: "Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A short time later, about 6.15pm, emergency services were called to Riverstone Road, Riverstone, near Clark Street, following reports of a car fire.
"Fire and Resue [SIC] NSW crews attended and extinguished the blaze, however, the vehicle was destroyed. Police have established a second crime scene and are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked."
Shortly after the fatal shooting, Riverstone Police Area commander Jason Joyce also released a statement.
"We believe he may have been out for a walk, but we’re yet to confirm that," he said. "You’d want to think that in a residential area like that, people could wander the streets at that time of night and be safe, but we do believe it’s a targeted attack."
He added: "It would’ve been a horrific thing to witness and it’s certainly not something we tolerate in the community."
CCTV footage shows moment gunshots were fired in attack
A report from Sky News Australia has since branded the attack a 'gangland hit'.
As seen below, they have also obtained CCTV footage that captures nine shots ringing out on Annaluke Street before a red Audi can be seen speeding away from the scene.
The report also claims that police arrived at the scene around 6.08 pm, less than 15 minutes after the gunshots rang out.
It has been suggested that Mokhtarian was the intended victim of a shooting at the Australian Top Team fighting gym at Wentworthville back in February 2024.
After surviving the incident, a planned MMA event Mokhtarian was involved in was cancelled back in April after fears emerged of another potential attempt to take his life.
Jack Kenmare