Two arrested after gunfire at Sydney venue linked to crime figure's funeral
No injuries reported after shots fired at Punchbowl business; police warn of possible reprisals
Incident Details
At approximately 2:20–2:30 p.m. local time, an unknown SUV drove past the Diamond Venues Group building on the corner of Punchbowl and Canterbury Road in Punchbowl, Sydney, and fired several shots. A person working in a nearby office connected to the building was present during the incident but was not injured.
Related Vehicle Fire
Shortly after the shooting, police responded to a report of a vehicle fire at Gillian Place, Punchbowl, where an abandoned car was found alight. Initial police inquiries indicate the two incidents are linked. Two crime scenes were established.
Arrests
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy in Picnic Point on Monday. He was charged with:
- Firing a firearm at a dwelling in connection with organized crime activity
- Damaging property by fire or explosive
- Participating in a group contributing to criminal activity
He was refused bail.
Ronald Samuel Donovan, 23, was arrested in the areas of Airds and Busby. Police allegedly seized ammunition during the arrest. He was charged with:
- Firing a firearm at a non-dwelling without regard for safety
- Participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity
He was refused bail.
Police allege the 17-year-old fired close to 30 rounds from the vehicle. Detective Superintendent Jason Box stated that footage of the shooting showed the suspects laughing. He warned that a third person is still wanted and that those involved may face reprisals from organized crime networks.
Background and Context
The venue had been advertised as the location for the funeral service of Lorenzo Lemalu, a 24-year-old Sydney crime figure. Lemalu was shot dead on a busy street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 2 (Sources 1, 3) or May 21 (Sources 3, 4). Security video reportedly shows two men in black firing at Lemalu and an associate.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security stated that two suspects have been apprehended in Vietnam. Source 1 and Source 4 report that two Samoan men have confessed to the killing on Vietnamese television. Law enforcement agencies are investigating and handling the individuals in accordance with the law.
New South Wales Police suspected Lemalu of leading the "Coconut Cartel," a group involved in a conflict with rival crime gangs, including the Alameddine crime family. Police sources have stated they anticipate possible reprisal attacks in Sydney.
Lemalu's funeral was later relocated to Lakemba Mosque. A small crowd attended under heavy police presence. Several police vehicles patrolled the area, and some mourners concealed their faces from media. The wake originally planned for the Diamond Venues was instead held at the mosque on Sunday.