Gunman shoots customer dead in feud over signage work

A gunman killed one customer and wounded two others at a sign shop in Ingleburn, south west, Sydney, before turning the weapon on himself and dying. The killer Wayne Williams shot dead Michael Bassal at Inline National Signage in an apparent feud over signage work. Williams, 33, started firing a semi-automatic gun when the three brothers entered the store to complain about a sign they had ordered. Bassal, 43, was killed while his two brothers, aged 41 and 34 sustained injuries, with one undergoing emergency surgery at the Liverpool Hospital.

Scene of the crime: Inline factory in Ingleburn

Scene of the crime: Inline factory in Ingleburn

Inline Signage produces the full gamut of signs from graphics to installations. It was formed in the 1970s. Inline owner, Chantelle Tonna, 30, was charged with refusing to assist police with their inquiries, she has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear in court next month. Tonna is reported to have known Williams, who has ties with the Finks bikies gang. It is unclear why Williams was in the shop. Williams had held three male hostages for three hours during police negotiations, including one worker on his very first shift. At 5:00pm the hostages were released and police found Williams’s body inside the property with what is believed to be self-inflicted gun wounds. Police investigating the shooting have confirmed that some of the people involved are members of bikie gangs. However a police spokeswoman says, “It doesn’t look like anything to do with bikie gang wars, it looks like a business dispute at this stage.” Williams’s father, Peter, 52, has also been charged with discharging a firearm during a separate incident yesterday. He has been refused bail and will appear at Campbelltown Local Court today. Police from the South West Metropolitan Region and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad are continuing their investigation of the incident. More to come.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required

Advertisement

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Advertisement