The 18-year-old man who died in what police say was a “random” shooting in the NSW city of Newcastle has been identified.
Ekam Sahni, a Newcastle local, was part of two groups at the Bar Beach carpark about 11.40pm yesterday, near the popular Merewether Beach, when a white Volvo SUV pulled up.
A man armed with a rifle allegedly jumped out and fired shots, fatally hitting the victim, before fleeing.
Paramedics treated the teenager but he died at the scene.
Two crime scenes have been established and specialist police, including detectives from the state homicide squad, have joined the hunt for the shooter.
NSW Police Acting Superintendent Steve Benson said the investigation remains at an early stage, though the killing was not linked to a brawl.
“We don’t believe the fight was organised and we don’t believe this incident was related to that earlier fight in the carpark,” he said.
Benson said the teenager was struck by a gunshot to his “upper torso”.
“Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the male died at the scene and was later conveyed to John Hunter Hospital.”
He confirmed the white Volvo allegedly used in the shooting was stolen. It was later discovered burnt out about 20 minutes drive away from the carpark at Tingira Heights.
Police forensic experts are continuing to examine the vehicle.
One Newcastle resident earlier told 9News he witnessed the deadly shooting.
He and his friends had a dispute with the victim, who had been harassing them in the car park, he said.
Brown said man who had been watching from a white vehicle then drove towards the group, got out and began firing with a large rifle-style gun after shouting at the gathering.
“I didn’t know they were just going to jump out with big weapons like that and shoot the poor guy.”
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the government would give the police every resource they needed.
“This sort of violence is not what we ever want to see on our streets,” she said.
Anyone with relevant information or dashcam vision of the incident should call police on 1800 333 000 or make an online report.
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