<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police believe an alleged Sydney crime family are involved in three shootings overnight and fear there could be more attacks of retaliation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged spree started with shots being fired at a home in Casula in Western Sydney just after midnight, leading to reprisal attacks on shops and homes that lasted until the morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police claim the Alameddines, an alleged crime family, is at the heart of the attacks.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>IN PICTURES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-morning-herald-195-years-most-powerful-photos/91e2789f-3e38-40bc-827e-858b1aa2758f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>The photos that stopped the nation over the last two centuries</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's well known some of these premises are linked to the Alameddine OCN [organised crime network], and the others are affiliated with other organised crime entities," Detective Superintendent Jason Box said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One of the houses hit, on Fairmont Street in Merrylands, is the home of Raf Alammedine, the alleged leader of the criminal group.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He wasn't home and police allege he is coordinating the group's efforts from Lebanon.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-shootings-alameddine-crime-family-retaliation/71b0d95e-8e5a-454a-8a25-7f05cf8c7a26" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The first shooting, allegedly saw a white SUV driven up to a shopping centre on the Hume Highway at Casula.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A shot was fired by one of two men, believed to be connected to the Alameddine family who was inside the car, directed towards Royal Blends Barbershop. It's unclear why this barbershop was targeted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There were no injuries.</span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This set off retaliatory attacks, believed to be by a group called the Lone Wolf gang.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The first saw Little K's Restaurant, a well-known Alammedine hangout in Merrylands, set on fire, the culprits filming their act and calling it "Operation Fire Bender".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The restaurant is owned by Adam Al Ahmad, whose brother Assad is an alleged Alammedine crime boss.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two more shootings occurred, the one in Merrylands, and another on Woodstock Road in Guilford, believed to be owned by Al Ahmad.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No one was injured in either shooting.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span></span></strong></em><span>Box said these actions put innocent civilians in harm's way; the shooting in Merrylands happened close to a sports field where children were getting ready to play soccer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They could have killed or seriously injured someone," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But now they also have the concern these organised crime networks will retaliate against not just them but their friends, family associates."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Detective Superintendent admitted he was fearful of more retaliatory attacks from the Alammedines'.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We can tell from today that any of these organised crime entities, when they use any form of violence or intimidation, there will be retaliation," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It would appear the first incident have caused the other acts in retaliation this morning."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After the third shooting, police saw a black Range Rover driving along Woodville Road in Merrylands, and began chasing it when it failed to stop.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The chase was stopped after the Range Rover was found to be driving "erratically and dangerously", Box said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was found abandoned in Smithfield, but two people, a 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man, were arrested nearby.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They have been taken to Cabramatta Police Station, where charges are expected to be laid.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is not known which shootings they were involved in, but they are believed to be connected to some of them.</span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A gun was also found in the car.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police believe more people were involved in the shootings, but they have not been found yet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine"><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></p></li></ul></div></div>