Strike Force Amirs launched into shooting death of Mahmoud “Mick” Hawi at Rockdale

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, assisted by Homicide Squad and St George Police Area Command detectives, are investigating the murder under Strike Force Amirs.

Investigators are appealing to the community for assistance to identify the men seen fleeing the suspected getaway car, and are seeking any vision from dash cams or mobile phones taken yesterday in the vicinity of Chandler and Ashton streets, the Princes Highway, Rockdale Plaza Drive, and the plaza carpark.

Vision can be uploaded here or handed into any police station.

Their inquiries are continuing today, which includes canvassing the area, gathering and reviewing vision, and speaking with Mr Hawi’s family, friends, and associates.

The detectives are investigating whether a bounty had been placed on the head of Mr Hawi before he was shot dead during an ambush outside his gym on Thursday.

Hawi, once convicted of the Sydney Airport murder of Anthony Zervas before the charge was sensationally downgraded to manslaughter, died in hospital several hours after a balaclava-clad gunman opened fire on the former Comanchero's black Mercedes-Benz SUV in the carpark of the Rockdale Fitness First gym about 12.10pm.

Despite vowing never to rejoin the gang following his prison release in 2015, Hawi had continued to associate with his bikie mates.

Homicide squad detectives will now need to investigate a long list of suspects who may have wanted Hawi dead, including a theory from within the underworld that a contract had been placed on the 37-year-old.

Police are urging anyone with information call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.