Overview of the case
A 60-year-old man, Artemios Mintzas, appeared in Burwood Local Court charged with more than two dozen offences linked to a late-night shooting spree in Sydney’s inner west. The alleged incident, which police describe as indiscriminate, unfolded on Georges River Road in Croydon Park on Sunday evening, coinciding with grand final celebrations in the region.
The alleged timeline and what happened
Police say Mintzas fired about 50 bullets from a high-calibre rifle from an apartment above a cosmetic clinic. The violence began around 7.45pm, with witnesses reporting shattered glass from his apartment window and at least one of the shots piercing a window of an unoccupied police car. The shooter targeted cars, pedestrians, and even authorities along a busy shopping strip, creating a scene of fear in a quiet suburb.
Emergency services treated multiple people at the scene. One man sustained gunshot injuries to the neck and chest and was transported to hospital for emergency surgery, with doctors describing his condition as not life-threatening. A total of 20 people were treated for a range of injuries, from minor wounds to shock, and several sustained injuries from flying glass. Five people were admitted to hospital for further care at a later stage, while others refused or required on-site treatment.
Arrest, charges, and courtroom events
Mintzas was arrested after tactical police entered the apartment around 9.30pm that night. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries before being moved into police custody the following morning and charged in the evening. By Monday night, investigators had laid 25 charges against him, including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder and charges relating to firing a firearm in a public place, possessing an unregistered firearm, and discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for safety.
In court on Tuesday morning, Mintzas wore a blue uniform and appeared with visible rings of bruising around his eyes. He did not apply for bail, and Magistrate Jennifer Price formally refused it. The case will return to court on December 3. Defense counsel Dymphna Hawkins was confirmed as Mintzas’s representative after a brief dispute about written instructions from counsel.
Reactions from officials and the community
Premier Chris Minns underscored the danger posed by the incident, praising the swift response by police and emergency personnel. He noted that officers, some of whom had recently completed training, refrained from retreating and instead stayed to secure the area, potentially saving lives. Minns described the event as a highly dangerous operation with the risk of death or injury to responders and bystanders.
Motivation and background context
Investigators have not identified a manifesto or clear motive at this stage. Mintzas’s background was described as low-key by authorities, with very few prior interactions recorded in the past two decades. He lived alone in the Croydon Park apartment above a cosmetic clinic and worked for Transport for NSW as a Sydney Trains customer service attendant. The investigation continues as police work to understand any possible connections to the Grand Final night events or other surrounding circumstances.
What’s next
As Mintzas awaits further court dates, authorities remain focused on establishing a complete timeline of the incident, securing additional evidence at the scene, and ensuring all victims receive appropriate medical and psychological support. The community remains on alert while investigators pursue every lead in what has been described as a dangerous, near-two-hour spree that could have had far worse consequences.
