A truck may be the key to solving the “calculated” and “brutal” murder of a Palenstinian migrant living in Horsley Park.
Fairfield Police have said a truck, with a distinctive bull bar, has been connected to the murder of Saif Jouda, 23, who was killed on April 23.
Mr Jouda, who spent two years obtaining his visa after moving from Palenstine, answered his door around 11.45pm that night and was repeatedly shot at point-blank range.
“He was ambushed at his front door and was shot in the head a number of times,” the crime manager Detective Inspector Stuart Cadden said.
The evidence gathered by the police dogs, as well as a footprint found within by the side of the road near the crime scene, has produced the new lead.
An Isuzu Tautliner, a medium-to-heavy truck with a distinctive bull bar, was captured by CCTV on the night of the murder and police believe it may have been used a getaway vehicle.
“The most distinguishing feature of the truck is that it has a very large after market bull bar attached to the front,” Inspector Cadden said.
“It’s not a usual item that you will see in the factory and we’re hoping it might jog the memory of people who may have walked passed it [on Horsley Drive] – it’s a busy road.”
The detective inspector said there is still no clear motive for the shooting murder as Mr Jouda had no links to crime or drugs.
“What we do know is that Mr Jouda came to Australia, pursuing the Australian dream – he was to get married, he was working, he was planning to settle down and buy [a house].
Given the nature of the shooting, police suspect a “very significant level of hatred” from the shooter towards Mr Jouta.
“We know it was a very calculated and brutal shooting.
“It was done by someone who obviously had a very significant level of hatred towards the man.”
The detective inspector has said there is unlikely a connection between Mr Jouda’s death and the Assyrian Charity and Educational Community building his residence was connected to.
Police are still exploring all possible lines of inquiry and anyone with information should contact crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
