By Riley Walter
A man has been arrested and charged over the “brazen” murder of a 40-year-old man in 2022, which police say stemmed from a personal disagreement between the victim and his alleged killer.
On Wednesday morning, Strike Force Severne detectives arrested 41-year-old Ayman Manly at a Mascot unit and charged him with the murder of Mohammad Chami, 40, who was found shot dead at Holroyd, in Sydney’s west.
Ayman Manly, bottom right, has been charged over the alleged murder of Mohammad Chami.Credit: Nick Moir; Nine News; Supplied
Police will allege in court that Manly was directly involved in Chami’s murder. Police say there was a personal disagreement involving the pair and a 39-year-old man who was also shot at the time.
On March 3, 2022, emergency services were called to a service station at Merrylands just before midnight after receiving reports a man had been shot.
There officers found a 39-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his buttocks before locating Chami’s body about one kilometre away in Holroyd. He had several gunshot wounds.
Police believe the 39-year-old had driven his dark-coloured hatchback towards the Merrylands shopping strip after he was shot and crashed into another car outside the service station officers were called to.
CCTV, obtained at the time by Nine News, showed a man exiting a dark hatchback and limping towards the driver of the other car before collapsing.
NSW Police’s homicide squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Severne.
Manly has been charged with murder, shooting with intent to murder, possessing a pistol and possessing a firearm in contravention of a firearm prohibition order. He did not apply for bail in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday. He will reappear on November 6.
“This alleged murder was a brazen public place shooting resulting in the death of one man, the wounding of another and chaos in the streets of Sydney,” said homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty.
“But this shooting was not driven by drugs or money. This shooting was the direct result of a personal disagreement between two men which resulted in death and terror. That is why today’s results are so important for detectives. It was a hard-fought investigation that has not only brought answers to Mohammad’s family but also to the wider Sydney community who was impacted by this violent attack.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Investigations under Strike Force Severne will continue.
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