Widow says husband's final act saved her as he was gunned down outside Sydney pub

An inner-west Sydney man was gunned down outside The Harold hotel in Forest Lodge on August 17, in an attack police describe as targeted and linked to gang violence in Western Sydney. Gilbert Shino, 39, died at the scene after multiple shots were fired as he and a friend, Maradona Yalda, were leaving the venue. Yalda survived his injuries. Investigators with Strike Force Westmoore, the operation focused on gang-related violence in the region, continue to examine the circumstances and any potential connection to organized crime networks.

Shino’s widow, Natasha Avakian, posted on Instagram with details about her husband’s final moments, saying she was on the phone with him seconds before he died and that he hung up just before the gunfire began. Avakian said her husband’s act saved her from hearing the violence, adding that he protected her even in his last moments. She described Shino as a devoted father of two and a hard-working tradie who loved sports, including tennis and UFC, and noted they had attended the Australian Open together earlier in January. Avakian also shared that the couple had suffered the miscarriage of a son and had two young daughters, Montana and Isla. A GoFundMe in Shino’s memory has raised more than $113,000, underscoring community support for the family amid the grief.

The scene near The Harold drew attention for the number of shots fired and the proximity to patrons inside and near a staff member. Police said the incident involved a number of gunshots and that one round narrowly missed a female staff member when it struck a window. Superintendent Alf Sergi of Leichhardt later told reporters that police believe the attack was targeted and that there could be links to organised crime networks. He stressed that while one gunman is the working hypothesis, there is a possibility more than one shooter was involved, and investigators are seeking a dark-coloured vehicle connected to the shooting.

Yalda, 31, had returned to Australia just days before the murder and was understood to be aware there was a contract on his head, according to police sources. Authorities noted Yalda has ties to an Assyrian street gang known as DLASTHR and to former Comanchero bikie Andre Kallita, who has since left the club; however, friends of Shino said he had no gang involvement, and there has been no suggestion of wrongdoing by Yalda. Avakian’s posts bridged the personal and public dimensions of the tragedy, including a reflection on revisiting a classic 2000s TV series with her husband and a public display of their daughters visiting Shino’s grave on Father’s Day, wearing shirts that read, “Dad I used to be your angel, now you are mine.”

Authorities described the shooting as one of the most serious public violence incidents in Sydney in recent months. It is the 13th public shooting and the fourth fatal attack in Sydney in the past nine months, with victims ranging from those linked to criminal networks to individuals not publicly connected to crime. Police have emphasized that not all victims have had known underworld ties, signaling broader concerns about firearm violence in the city.

Residents near The Harold were told to stay indoors as officers conducted inquiries and collected statements. Detailing the path of the victims, police said Shino and Yalda were making their way toward their car, parked about 100 meters away, when the ambush occurred. Paramedics and bystanders assisted them at the scene, but Shino died from his injuries while Yalda survived. A witness who was near Shino on the phone could be heard shouting that the man’s friend was his best ally as shots rang out. Investigators have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 to help piece together the sequence of events and the possible involvement of more than one gunman.

The Harold shooting drew swift condemnations from local officials and community leaders who stressed the need for ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and organized crime. The case remains under active investigation, with authorities reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the area for additional witnesses and dashcam imagery. As the investigation proceeds, Avakian’s public tribute and the GoFundMe support for Shino’s family reflect the deep, personal impact of a case that has reverberated through a neighborhood already grappling with gun violence.