Man jailed for accidentally shooting innocent bystander in Sydney during feud

A man who killed an innocent stranger when he fired his gun on a Sydney street, has been jailed for at least 10 and a half years.

Qusay Al Mhanawi was in the driver's seat of his car on his Heckenberg street in 2016, preparing to go to work when he was shot and killed instantly.

The bullet had been fired by Matthew Russell, during a confrontation with brothers Latu Vakauta and Tyson Parker.

"On any view of it, the shot was fired in circumstances where there was a very real risk of death or a serious injury to an innocent bystander. Tragically, that risk came home," Acting Justice Peter Hidden said today.

Russell argued he was acting in self defence and was worried about the safety of his mother and girlfriend.

Justice Hidden said while he didn't intend to kill, Russell had other options that day.

"He could have driven from the scene and, if necessary, sought the assistance of police."

But he accepted he was genuinely sorry for Mr Al Mhanawi's death having told a psychologist he was "just an innocent person who got caught in my anger."

Russell also received a discount on his sentence for pleading guilty to manslaughter, after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge of murder, finding him guilty only of two counts of shoot with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He did not visibly react as he was sentenced.

With time already served he will be eligible for parole in 2026.