Taha Sabbagh last post before murder outside Elite Fight Force gym in Sefton, West Sydney

A famous chauffeur who was gunned down in a gangland ambush posted video of his son doing a boxing workout the night before he was shot outside the gym.

Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot and killed around 6.30am on Thursday outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street in Sefton, in western Sydney.

The proud dad’s last social media post around 8pm on Wednesday showed his 12-year-old boy practicing hitting, blocking and dodging with a trainer.

Less than 12 hours later, the father and son returned to the gym to drop him off for another session when at least two gunmen opened fire.

Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot dead with his children next to the black Mercedes as he dropped his eldest son for a training session

A witness heard at least six shots fired and the screeching of a car. The Mazda 3 was later found burned out at the nearby Birrong train station.

Paramedics desperately tried to revive Mr Sabbagh, who was a frequent presence at the MMA gym. He could not be saved and died at the scene.

First on the scene was a man named Steve who heard six gunshots while he was working in an office across the street.

“I heard the shots and I ran over and the young guy, his son, was screaming, ‘Help my father, he’s been shot,'” he told the Daily Mail Australia.

“I looked in and there was a man in front of the car who was bleeding and slumped over the console. Someone had obviously shot him, there was blood everywhere.’

Steve said that despite being shot up to six times, Mr Sabbagh appeared to be alive.

“Within minutes, police and ambulances were everywhere, it was quite a hectic sight,” he said.

“You’ve been working on him for a while.”

Mr Sabbagh was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street in Sefton, in western Sydney

Mr Sabbagh was a top driver for several Sydney luxury chauffeur services and regularly took high profile clients to meetings and parties (including social media star Hasbulla).

Mr Sabbagh was a top driver for several luxury chauffeur services in Sydney and regularly took high profile clients to meetings and parties and cashed couples to weddings.

NSW Police Superintendent Danny Doherty said the shooting was a “directed attack” but whether it was “the intended target” was being investigated.

“He was not well known to the police, he was associated with some people who are well known to the police and associated with strong criminal activity,” he told reporters.

Friends of the luxury car driver are convinced that he was shot because of a mix-up.

He once drove social media star Hasbulla and shared photos of MMA stars Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, as well as YouTuber Logan Paul.

“He’s been with us from the beginning, almost four years now,” said the owner of one of the companies.

“He’s one of the best guys I know, always upbeat, always smiling.

“He was our best, always opened the door, brought an umbrella when it rained – an all-round nice guy. It’s a tragedy.’

The businessman said Mr Sabbagh was so reliable that he was trusted with the firm’s top clients and could not be involved in organized crime.

“It’s very shocking, we never expected something like this to happen to someone like him,” he said.

Mr Sabbagh’s car had a tarp covering his body nearby after Thursday morning’s shooting

Police comfort a young boy believed to be Mr Sabbagh’s 12-year-old son

The Mazda 3 used in the shooting was later found burned out at the nearby Birrong train station

The 40-year-old was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street in Sefton on Thursday morning

A police source grimly warned of more bloodshed on the streets of a Sydney suburb after the shooting.

‘It’s going to get a lot worse after that. It always does,’ they said.

A group of dozens, many wearing hi-vis shirts and work clothes, arrived on the street around 9am, excited and wanting to know what had happened.

Some cried and held on to the bullet-riddled black Mercedes SUV in which Mr Sabbagh was sitting when he was shot at least six times.

Others clashed with police until the crowd was dispersed by officers and they left the area.

Mustafa Nashar, a friend of Mr Sabbagh, paid tribute to the 40-year-old from the bottom of his heart: “(He was) a beautiful person whose life was mistakenly and undeservedly taken.”

Another loved one added: “Taha was a loving son, brother, father, husband, he was loved by many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.’

Mr Sabbagh recently shared a photo of children with Logan Paul on his Instagram

Mr Sabbagh with MMA artist Islam Makhachev, a close family friend who helped train his sons

Desperate family and friends flooded the street where he was gunned down in a gangster ambush at his gym in western Sydney

Muslim preacher Mohamed Shaar said there was “another soul killed right on our doorstep”.

“Killed in front of his child, what a shame this world is so evil,” he said.

A witness, David, said he was in his shop at the time he heard the gunshots, which he initially thought was a car backfire.

“Within minutes there was a load of ambulances and police everywhere and we saw a man on the ground who was no good,” he told 2GB radio. “It was scary.”

David said he first heard about five loud bangs before he heard a car speed away. Then he heard another gunfire.

The gym posted a message on Instagram Thursday morning announcing it was closing.

“Asalamu alaykum (peace be upon you in Arabic),” the message began.

“We apologize for any inconvenience. Elite Force Force is closing today and all classes are canceled for the day.

“Please bear with us and stay tuned to our stories for new announcements.”

Taha Sabbagh was gunned down in his car outside the gym on Thursday morning

Emergency services are seen outside the gym on Thursday morning

Daily Mail Australia understands the gym was not open at the time. Pictured are members of the gym

The gym was not open at the time, except for private appointments like the one Mr Sabbagh arranged for his son.

The gym has been highly praised by members, who have described it as having “world-class facilities and trainers” and classes for all ages.

“The best MMA gym in Sydney,” wrote one in a review.

“Also has the best bantamweight fighter there.

“Definitely recommended for anyone wanting to get fit or defend themselves or even pursue a career in martial arts.”

Another person said the store was the “most disciplined mixed martial arts gym” in the city.

“The owners and trainers treat you like family the moment you step through the door,” they said.

Children had been working out in the gym on Wednesday night – just hours before the shooting happened.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk