The 60-year-old father accused of orchestrating a terrifying shooting spree on Sunday evening has been hit with a raft of charges including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder.
Artemios Mintzas, 60, was arrested after allegedly firing about 50 shots at passing vehicles — including a police car — from his Georges River Rd premises in Croydon Park about 7.45 pm on Sunday.
He has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.
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On top of those 18 counts, Mintzas has also been charged with a range of weapons offences including possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition, firing a gun at a home and firing a weapon with intent to resist arrest.
Mintzas, who has no known mental health issues, was initially taken to Bankstown Hospital with minor eye injuries caused by smashed glasses.
He was later released, returned to police custody and was charged at about 12.30pm on Monday.
Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry suggested earlier Monday he would be charged with “a string of offences”.
The motivation for the alleged attack remains unclear.
Parry confirmed the alleged shooter has several children, only a few recorded interactions with police over the past 20 years, and no documented mental health issues.
“No links at all to any organised crime or any terror,” he said.
The scene of a shooting in Croydon Park in Sydney, Monday, October 6, 2025. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong/AAP Image Parry said the alleged shooter was the sole occupant of the apartment above a shop during the incident.
He allegedly struck 13 vehicles, and 16 people were treated at the scene, with two taken to hospital.
One hospitalised victim underwent surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and his injuries are no longer life-threatening and he is expected to recover.
He had been sitting in the rear passenger seat behind the front passenger with two other adult family members when he was shot.
The second hospitalised victim has since been released.
Heavily armed police stormed a business in Croydon Park. Credit: 7NEWS “In my 35 years in the police there’s been very few instances of this nature, where somebody is randomly targeting people in the street, driving past in vehicles,” Parry said.
He confirmed there are no further threats to the public.
Ambulance at the scene. Credit: 7NEWS NSW Premier Chris Minns praised the “incredible bravery” of first responders, saying they “responded without hesitation to protect the community”.
“I saw firsthand the composure, professionalism and courage of the officers who responded to this life-threatening incident,” he said on Monday.
“Their actions under pressure reflect the very best of the NSW Police Force who put themselves in harm’s way every single day to keep us all safe.
“There is no place for this sort of violence in our state.”