A former NRL star, Matt Utai, is recovering in a Sydney hospital after a brazen drive-by shooting outside his Greenacre home on Tuesday morning. The attack, which left the 44-year-vintage with gunshot wounds to the chest and leg, is being investigated as part of an escalating gang conflict targeting his family, according to New South Wales Police.
Police believe the shooting was not a random act, but rather a targeted attack linked to the criminal associations of Utai’s son, Iziah Utai. NSW Police Organised Crime Squad boss Brad Abdy stated on Wednesday, “We believe all the offences are targeting one particular family. That’s the linkage between those offences.” He described the violence as “ridiculously disgusting offences” and expressed concern that innocent people were caught in the crossfire.
The shooting occurred around 6:00 am as Utai was walking to his car. Emergency services transported him to hospital where he underwent surgery. Superintendent Rodney Hart of the Bankstown Police Area Command confirmed that Utai was able to communicate with police at the scene and was in a “fair amount of pain.”
Shortly after the shooting, a burnt-out SUV suspected of being used in the attack was discovered in Wiley Park. Forensic investigators are examining the vehicle for evidence. Police have established crime scenes at both locations and are treating the incidents as linked.
The escalating violence continued overnight with a shooting at a home in St Clair, where a woman in her 50s was present but unharmed. A vehicle was also found on fire in a nearby suburb. These incidents are also believed to be connected to the targeting of the Utai family.
Iziah Utai, 20, is reportedly associated with the Alameddine crime family, a group currently embroiled in a feud with a rival faction known as the Coconut Cartel. Unverified footage circulating on social media appears to show individuals taunting Iziah Utai before the shooting. A message purportedly from the Alameddine family, shared by an underworld-focused media outlet, warned “This is just the start its a losing battle for you and anyone that dares to come against us,” referring to Iziah Utai and his associates.
Authorities have established a dedicated task force, comprising over 100 investigators, to address the escalating gang violence. Police have confirmed that Iziah Utai is currently overseas and his whereabouts are unknown.
Matt Utai, a former New Zealand and Samoa international, played 167 NRL games for the Wests Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, winning a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2004. His former club has expressed shock and sadness at the incident. Police have stated that Matt Utai has no criminal history and is not believed to be involved in criminal activity.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and pursue leads in both Sydney and overseas.
