Retired Rugby Star Matt Utai In ‘Critical Condition’ After ‘Targeted’ Drive-By Shooting Outside His Home
Matt Utai during a game at the Sydney Showgrounds on June 4, 2005 in Sydney, Australia Adam Pretty/Getty NEED TO KNOW Former National Rugby League player Matt Utai is in "critical condition" after a "targeted" drive-by shooting outside his home on Tuesday Citing Australian media, the Associated Press reported that the 44-year-old star was the victim of the attack and had undergone surgery following the incident New South Wales police told PEOPLE that it does "not identify victims of crime" and that there is no update on the case "whilst investigations are continuing" Former National Rugby League player Matt Utai is in "critical condition" after a "targeted" drive-by shooting outside his home on Tuesday.
Citing Australian media, the Associated Press reported that the 44-year-old star, who retired in 2013 after playing for New Zealand and Samoa, was the victim of the attack and underwent surgery following the incident. According to a press release issued by New South Wales police, emergency services were called to Macquarie Street, Greenacre, following reports of a shooting at around 6 a.m. on Feb. 17.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Matt Utai during a game at Brookvale Oval, July 4, 2004 in Sydney, Australia Chris McGrath/Getty "Officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command attended and were told a man had been shot outside a home by the occupants of an SUV before it drove away," the press release states.
Although it does not name Utai, police said that a 44-year-old man was "treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for multiple gunshot wounds before being taken to hospital in a serious condition." The BBC reported, citing New South Wales police, that the victim was "in critical condition" after sustaining a "gunshot to his lower leg and his shoulder, upper chest area." Citing Superintendent Rodney Hart, the outlet reported that the victim was in "serious but stable condition" after undergoing surgery.
Hart told the BBC that the attack was "definitely targeted." "It's a brazen ambush," said Hart, per the outlet.
"Whether the victim was the intended target or it was somebody that he knows or associates with or is related to will all form part of the investigation." Matt Utai during a game at Leichhardt Oval on March 4, 2012 in Sydney, Australia Cameron Spencer/Getty According to the press release, a short time after police responded to the shooting, they received reports of a car fire that is believed to be linked to the incident, per the BBC and the Associated Press.
"Police attended and found an SUV well alight. The fire was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and the car was seized for forensic examination," the press release states. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
New South Wales police told PEOPLE that it does "not identify victims of crime" and the case is currently under investigation. Read the original article on People The Associated Press reported that the 44-year-old star underwent surgery after the attack The Associated Press reported that the 44-year-old star underwent surgery after the attack