Gunman 'fled overseas'

A Vietnamese mob identity has emerged as a chief suspect in the shooting of seven people at a Cabramatta wedding reception.

Initially reported as a random noise dispute, the incident may have had far more sinister overtones, according to police sources.

Also wanted by detectives in connection with a large-scale interstate heroin racket, the suspected gunman is believed to have fled overseas.

The Sun-Herald has also learnt that one of those wounded in the rampage was apparently known to the shooter and was caught in the crossfire.

Five men, a 21-year-old woman and an eight-year-old boy were sprayed by 10 of 15 bullets fired from a semi-automatic handgun during the attack, at Cabramatta's New World Seafood Restaurant on May 25.

At the time, the John Street eatery was crowded with more than 180 guests attending a reception for newly-weds Nhac Quach and Kiet Di.

Witnesses have told police the gunman was at a table of men already gathered at the rear of the restaurant before the wedding festivities began about 6pm.

Sources close to the investigation said the uninvited group was later joined by others who arrived through a back door.

The first of two arguments between the men and one of the wedding guests is said to have flared up about 3.5 hours into the evening, resulting in one man being thrown out by security staff.

But it was the second spat that apparently triggered the gunman's rage.

"He's fired a number of shots actually aimed at the wedding guest and then walked through the room randomly shooting," one police source said. "He's then run out the back door."

Worst of those hurt was a 33-year-old Carramar man, shot in the chest and stomach. Most victims were struck in the legs as they lunged for cover.

One of the victims had earlier been at the gunman's table, allegedly involved in lengthy conversation with him. Sources claim he was diving to tackle the shooter's main target when accidentally shot in the hip.

Detectives said the suspected gunman is alleged to have been a "key player" during a series of gang battles that ripped at the heart of the Cabramatta community in the late 1990s.

More than 40 strike force detectives were assigned to investigate the bloody feud, which involved murders, bashings, shootings and other violent crimes.

Police sources have described the suspected gunman as an intimate associate of one of the two kingpins of the war, a former 5T henchman known as "Khanh", whose gang was pitted against an equally violent outfit run by "David".

Both Khanh and David are thought to have been one-time National Crime Authority surveillance targets.

Cabramatta Sergeant Kevin McNeill said last week his detectives were keeping an open mind about leads in the New World case.

"We've so far interviewed more than a hundred of the people who were there," he said.

But Fairfield councillor Thang Ngo said the Cabramatta community was anxious for a breakthrough.

"I'm hearing from people who are quite desperate for police to announce that they've caught someone," he said.

"Many are looking over their shoulder and I don't blame them."

Mr Ngo said concerns had also been raised after police had repeatedly rejected offers from community leaders to help ease any cultural difficulties they were experiencing with their inquiries.