A man who was shot dead in Sydney’s CBD overnight has been identified as the cousin of a notorious gangster.
Emergency services were called to Bridge Street, near Circular Quay, on Thursday night around 10.25pm following reports a man had been shot.
The victim is Bilal Hamze, the cousin of Brothers For Life founder Bassam Hamzy.
Newsletters: Breaking news as it happens. Subscribe now 
He was shot multiple times in the street after leaving a nearby establishment.
Hamze was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital but died a short time later.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told reporters the shooter or shooters, fled the scene in a black car, believed to be an Audi.
A short time later, a burnt-out car was found on Fleming Street in Northwood, in Sydney’s lower north shore.
Police have established a crime scene at both sites and are investigating the incident.
“This was a brutal execution-style murder,” Doherty said.
“It was carried out in a busy street in the middle of Sydney’s CBD.
“It was extremely fortunate that no members of the public were injured.”
Bridge Street in the CBD only reopened at about midday on Friday after being closed.
The killing comes after a string of shootings and alleged murders involving the Hamzy family.
In October 2020, Hamzy’s younger brother Mejid died after being shot multiple times as he left his Condell Park home.
Following that shooting, police restricted the movement of almost two dozen people, fearing a gangland war.
Bassam Hamzy, who has been detained since 1999, is currently in Goulburn jail.
Earlier this year he was charged with interfering with an investigation into the execution-style murder of 15-year-old Brayden Dillon in 2017.
The Hamze family has been at war with the Alameddine family for some time.
‘Major escalation’
Criminal Groups Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow said Hamze had been warned by police that there was a risk to his safety.
“He’s been warned that he’s at risk, he’s been given advice as to his safety,” Critchlow told reporters.
“That advice was not received in the sense that it was given.
“He sought to live his life the way he wanted to and he’s made some choices … police were certainly concerned.”
Police are now concerned retaliation attacks might take place.
“There is a substantial risk of reprisals and we certainly appeal to those that are concerned about this and choose to use violence to take reprisals or revenge against others, we want them to stop,” Critchlow said.
“This cycle of violence is damaging everybody in this town, in this state.
“It causes great fear in the public and its really not the way to achieve anything.”
Critchlow added it would not be “business as usual” for criminal fraternities in Sydney after Thursday’s shooting.
The “major escalation” of violence comes after Operation Ironside dismantled criminal networks across the country.
“Once you disrupt organised crime networks, there is always going to be some irritation and this may have been a result of that,” Doherty said.
“I’m not saying if it is or not but you have to look at those things.”
Doherty added that as police are looking at ongoing conflicts between rival families and organised crime networks, they’re also asking any witnesses with phone or dashcam vision to come forward.
Stream free on
