Feb 29, 2024

Gunman in his 70s attempts to murder 77-year-old solicitor, restrained in citizen’s arrest

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77-year-old solicitor Van Cooney being taken to hospital after being shot in the groin. [Source: On Scene Bondi]

A 79-year-old alleged gunman has been arrested for the attempted murder of a 77-year-old family lawyer at a Sydney law firm.

The suspected gunman, who has been named Sinve Vulic, was said to have fired a bullet into Solicitor Van Cooney’s groin at the CBD court complex on Wednesday afternoon and was restrained by office workers until police arrived. Detective Inspector David El-Badawi confirmed police arrived at the scene minutes later to find six office workers holding him down. 

A small-calibre semi-automatic pistol was found at the scene suspected of being the weapon used to fire the bullet. 

The building’s concierge told 7News, “He was like very cool, and pretended like he was normal.”

The relationship between the two men is still unknown.

Mr Cooney was in a stable condition when paramedics arrived and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a stable condition.

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Police at the crime scene. [AAP Image - Luke Costin]

The accused gunman did not appear injured and declined a medical assessment when he was arrested and taken to a nearby police station. 

Upon searching his belongings, officers allegedly seized a rifle and ammunition and charged him with offences including shooting with intent to murder, two counts of possessing a loaded firearm, endangering life in a non-public place, and two counts of possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm.

Mr Vulic was refused bail and appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. He has not yet entered pleas to the charges.

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