Suman Mokhtarian, a former UFC fighter, has been fatally shot in Sydney, in what police believe was a targeted attack. He was 33.
The athlete was reportedly out for a walk in Riverstone in the city’s western suburbs on Wednesday, October 8 when he was killed, per multiple outlet reports.
Although emergency services were called and an ambulance rushed to attend to Mokhtarian, he died at the scene after being found with gunshot wounds.
New South Wales police, who are investigating the incident, released a statement on Wednesday to address the shooting.
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“A man has died in a public place shooting in Sydney’s west today,” the NSW Police statement read. “About 6pm today, emergency services were called to Annaluke Street, Riverstone, following reports of a shooting.
“Officers attached to Riverstone Police Area Command attended and found a man suffering gunshot wounds. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene. The man is yet to be formally identified.
“Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A short time later, about 6.15pm, emergency services were called to Riverstone Road, Riverstone, near Clark Street, following reports of a car fire.
“Fire and Resue [SIC] NSW crews attended and extinguished the blaze, however, the vehicle was destroyed. Police have established a second crime scene and are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked.”
Speaking to 2GB radio’s Ben Fordham on Thursday, October 9, Police Superintendent Jason Joyce described the death as a “harrowing experience” for those living nearby.
“It was very brazen and it’s a shame that this has happened in our community,” Joyce said. “But we do believe it’s a targeted attack.”
He added, “My heart goes out to the family of this victim.”
Community member and witness, Natalie Hopwood, told news.com.au on Thursday that she called emergency services after hearing gunshots and seeing a man’s collapsed body.
“I could immediately tell he wasn’t alive, otherwise I would’ve tried to help him,” she told the outlet. “I was out the front with my little kids, [aged] one and three, and we heard the gunshots and then the person drove past our house.
She added, “I called the police straight away, [ran] over and checked to see if he was alive, he clearly wasn’t.”
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After news of Mokhtarian’s death broke, tributes flowed for the fighter, who competed in the UFC in 2018 and 2019.
Mokhtarian’s former mixed martial arts student, Jesse Swain, took to Instagram to reflect on Mokhtarian’s death
“Haven’t been able to sleep tonight after hearing the news so decided to post this now, firstly I want to say Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself,” Swain, 25, wrote. “I owe all I’ve done in MMA to him. Anyone that knew him personally knows how passionate and invigorating he was and he expected nothing but the best from you. He pushed me to heights I never thought I’d get to when starting out.”
He continued: “He stopped me from quitting in late 2024 right before he got me the professional opportunities and he personally told me my potential in the game. I’ll make sure to fulfill that potential for him. RIP Suman.”