Tragic L-0-ss Shocks Sydney as Well-Loved Car Enthusiast Is Remembered After Fatal Sh0-0ting
A semi-professional driver and mechanic who was shot dead while sitting in the car that was his pride and joy has been remembered as a “lovely”, “well-respected” and “loved” man, as police probe whether the hit was related to a notorious gang.
Jack Cheung was gunned down in a driveway on North Rocks Road, Carlingford, in Sydney’s north-west, before dawn on Wednesday, hours before it was reported to police.
Jack Cheung was killed while sitting in his car in a driveway on Wednesday morning. Supplied
Neighbours told reporters at the scene that gunshot noises were heard about 5am.
It wasn’t until shortly after 7am when emergency services were called to the scene, after a group of tradies found Cheung’s body with what police later described as significant gunshot wounds.
Cheung, who was aged in his 30s, was a keen revhead; a semi-professional driver and mechanic who was part of a car club.
“Jack was well respected and loved,” the club told 9News following his death.
“We are still processing the sudden loss.”
His landlord described him as a “lovely man who worked on his cars”.
Police are not treating Cheung’s death as a random attack or a case of mistaken identity.
“We do not believe that this is a random attack. We believe that this is an isolated incident,” Acting Superintendent Michael Marinello said.
Instead, they are investigating it as a planned and targeted hit, and are probing if there are any links between the attack and Sydney crime gang the Coconut Cartel.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Advertisement
Marinello said the victim had been known to police but that no organised crime link to the shooting had been established so far.
“It’s not something we’re discounting, (but) not something we’ve confirmed at this time,” he said on Wednesday morning.
Marinello also did not confirm if Cheung lived in the house he was shot outside of, but that people who did live there were assisting police with their inquiries.
Officers are speaking with a number of witnesses and beginning the process of reviewing extensive CCTV footage in the area.
Police partially cordoned off the street. Sitthixay Ditthavong
Marinello said they had not identified a getaway vehicle, if one had indeed been used.
Aerial footage from the scene appeared to show a covered body laid out next to a car parked behind a garden wall.
Police cordoned off part of the street, including some parked cars, with tape and vehicles.
Police tape also blocked off the driveway of the home where the body was found.
Officers from the anti-gang Raptor Squad are understood to have attended the scene.
