Schwarzenegger's former bodybuilding rival shot at, pistol-whipped in Sydney unit
A former bodybuilder, who once out-muscled Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been shoot out and pistol-whipped in Sydney's east.
Police are trying to piece together why tough guy Helmut Cerncic was targeted in his Darlinghurst home on Tuesday morning.
According to police, the attacker pistol-whipped the 76-year-old pensioner and let off a warning shot.
"He shot past me, I don't think it was a bullet," Mr Cerncic said.
"Four in the morning, getting woken up by someone banging on the window, I came out there is no one there, suddenly someone is in front of you."
Investigators were at the Darlinghurst scene on Tuesday searching for a bullet casing with the help of a ballistic sniffer dog.
Despite being a retiree, Mr Helmut is known to police for drug offences.
"He's a person that is well known in our area, he's currently before the court facing the commercial supply of heroin,” a police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.