UPDATE FRIDAY
Two men were caught on CCTV camera fleeing the suspected getaway car after former Comanchero bikie boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi was fatally gunned down in Rockdale.
The men, dressed completely in black, including balaclavas to cover their faces, are seen in the video shown by 7 News.
The suspected getaway car was dumped at Kogarah and set on fire.
Hawi died in St George Hospital after 12 shots were fired into his car, which was in a car park in West Botany Street.
Speculation continues on who was responsible, with some reports the execution may have been sparked by a heated rivalry with one of the outlaw club’s exiled members.
UPDATE – 5.30PM
Former Comanchero bikie boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi has died in hospital as police continue to investigate his shooting in Rockdale.
Emergency services attended a carpark in West Botany Street about 12pm and found a man in a car with gunshot wounds.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition and later died.
Hawi was still in a critical condition in St George Hospital up until 5pm and is blieved to have died a short time later.
Following the shooting the offender fled in a vehicle on Lindsay Street.
About 12.10pm, police attended Chandler Street Rockdale following reports of a car fire.
A crime scene has been established and police are now investigating any possible links to the shooting.
Officers attached to St George Local Area Command, with the assistance of State Crime Command Homicide and the Criminal Groups Squad detectives have launched an investigation into the events leading up to the incident.
State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the shooting of Hawi as “a targeted and planned attack” and said the full resources of NSW Police are investigating.
“This was a planned and targeted attack. We won’t tolerate this kind of attack because of the risk it poses to the public,” Mr Lanyon said.
He said a man in dark clothing and balaclava was seen fleeing the scene of the shooting on foot.
Police are also investigating whether a grey Mercedes station wagon found set on fire in Chandler Street was connected with the shooting.
“There may well have been two people involved,” he said.
Hawi was believed to have been in the gymnasium prior to the shooting.
Bullet holes were found in driver’s side of his car and in the gymnasium windows.
Whether Hawi still had formal ties with the Comancheros will be investigated.
“The full resources have been employed to investigate this attack,” Mr Lanyon said.
He said police would take action to stop retribution.
“We are 100 per cent committed to finding out who was involved.”
Mr Lanyon appealed to anyone who was in the area at 12.10pm and may have seen something to contact Crimestoppers.
He also appealed for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the area to contact Crimestoppers.
UPDATE
Former Comanchero bikie boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi has been shot in the face in a targeted attack in Rockdale.
Hawi was ambushed as he sat in a four-wheel drive inside the Fitness First carpark on West Botany Street today.
Police and paramedics were called to the premises just after midday.
NSW Ambulance Superintendent Greg Price said the man was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived.
“Four paramedic units were on scene within seven minutes,” Supt. Price said.
“The patient was transported to hospital within six minutes from arrival on scene. The scene was very confronting for emergency service personnel.”
Hawi was taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition.
Police are maintaining a strong presence outside St George Hospital Emergency with numerous public order and riot officers in attendance.
They are guarding the emergency ambulance bay as family and friends continue to arrive at the hospital where Hawi is on life support.
In November 2011, Hawi was found guilty of murdering bitter rival Anthony Zervas, 29, who was bludgeoned with a bollard and stabbed in the chest and abdomen in the domestic departure hall on March 22, 2009.
Hawi successfully appealed the conviction, which carried a non-parole period of 21 years, and was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Reshan Muthukrishna has operated a physiotherapy clinic out of the gym for the past four years, where Hawi has previously been treated for a shoulder injury.
Mr Muthukrishna was seeing a patient inside the clinic when he heard "at least five" shots on Thursday.
"Just pandemonium left, right and centre ... people on the scene were trying to help him, administer CPR."
Mr Muthukrishna said the shooting was "definitely not good for business" but "not unexpected or surprising ... [in] Rockdale".
"I've got staff who are traumatised, so it's definitely not good for business ... obviously it will affect the clientele; Fitness First clientele, my clientele, this place has even more of a reputation than before."
EARLIER
A man has been shot at Rockdale this afternoon.
Police and ambulance were called to Fitness First gym on West Botany Street after reports of a shooting.
The man was shot in the face while seated inside a car in the gym car park.
The man, 37, was in cardiac arrest and taken to St George Hospital in a serious condition.
There are unconfirmed reports that the man shot is former Comancheros boss Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi.
The offender fled in a vehicle last seen in Lindsay Street.
A car has also been set alight on Chandler Street in Rockdale with police investigating a potential connection.
9NEWS is reporting a that a witness who was inside the gym head "four or five bangs" which he said sounded like firecrackers.
"Blood all over the place," he said.
The witness said the gym manager had gone to try to help the shooting victim.
In November 2011, Hawi was found guilty of murdering bitter rival Anthony Zervas, 29, who was bludgeoned with a bollard and stabbed in the chest and abdomen in the domestic departure hall on March 22, 2009.
Hawi successfully appealed the conviction, which carried a non-parole period of 21 years, and was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Fitness First has made a statement in relation to the shooting outside its West Botany Street gym: “Fitness First is aware that a shooting occurred in the car park outside its Rockdale gym this morning, Thursday 15 February. We are fully complying with the police investigation and as a result we have closed this facility until further notice. Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation we are unable to provide further details at this time. Our priority is ensuring our staff and members are provided the right support at this time.”