Underworld figure, 31, survived deadly pub shooting that killed his mate

Monday, 18 August 2025 18:32

Maradona Yalda, 31, has links to the underworld and a price on his head – but he survived the deadly attack which took place at the Harold Park Hotel.

An underworld figure has been identified as one of the victims of a Sydney pub shooting that left one person dead.

Maradona Yalda, 31, has links to the underworld and a price on his head – but he survived the deadly attack which took place at the Harold Park Hotel on Ross Street, Forest Lodge about 6.40pm yesterday.

His friend Gilbert Shino, 39, wasn't so lucky.

Shino was known to police but it is believed he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Harold Park Hotel was sprayed with bullets.

He died from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene.

The pair had spent the afternoon at the Inner West pub while gunmen outside waited for the moment to attack.

Bullets that didn't hit the men ended up ricocheting across the packed pub, narrowly missing staff.

One bullet ended up in Lauren's home next to the pub.

"It sounded really close, it sounded like a bullet ricocheting off my front metal gate," she told 9News.

"I got low, I got under the bed, I grabbed my phone... and called my partner and said I think I've heard bullets."

Police confirmed it was a targeted attack.

The two men had been watching UFC 319 onscreen at the pub, before leaving to go to their car.

Maradona was seriously injured but is now in a stable condition.

Police said he was shot while running for his life back towards the pub, and was found "slumped over a garbage bin" on Alfred Road.

Detective Superintendent Alfio Sergi told media this morning that Shino died near the car on Wigram Street.

Witnesses reported hearing between six and 12 gunshots with multiple bullet casings found by police at the scene.

One local told the Sydney Morning Herald she saw one of the men shot about six times.

"He had been shot multiple times, at least six times," she said.

A major hunt is ongoing for the people responsible for the deadly shooting.

Police are also working to stop a retaliation attack.

"Obviously (we are) looking at links with organised crime networks, that'll be the focus of our investigation," Sergi said earlier today.

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