A security guard has died after being shot when four masked men ambushed an armoured van in Sydney’s CBD this morning.
The guard was one of a group that was ambushed outside a hotel at the corner of Sussex and Market Streets in central Sydney just before 6:00am (AEST).
It is understood four masked men in dark clothing got out of a silver Audi and demanded access to the armoured van. A fight broke out and the guard was shot in the chest.
The 59-year-old man from the Sutherland Shire in the city’s south was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital at Camperdown in a critical condition, but later died.
The New South Wales police minister Michael Daley has condemned the attack.
“It’s all about cowardice if you are hiding behind an object and then spring out with a gun and surprise some poor fella who’s just doing his work,” he said.
“It was a cowardly attack on a bloke who was simply going about his daily business.”
Police said the guards were delivering cash to a motel complex. It is not known if any money was stolen but a guard’s handgun was taken.
Detective Acting Superintendent Greg Antonjuk says police are interviewing the other guards and examining security camera footage as part of the investigation.
“We have yet to review all of the CCTV and one can understand that security officers that were involved are very distressed about the circumstances,” he said.
“We are being very careful and sympathetic to their needs while still extracting information from them.”
Detectives said the silver Audi was last seen travelling south along Sussex Street.
Anyone who sees the car is urged to call 000 immediately.
