New South Wales police in Australia are intensifying their investigation into two fatal shootings in Sydney within less than 48 hours. Authorities believe the victims may have been "mistakenly shot" due to conflicts among criminal gangs. Police also warn that violence from organized crime is increasingly affecting the general public.
Sydney police are investigating the shooting death of a man around 40 years old at a house in the Merrylands West area, west of Sydney, on the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 Sep 2020 GMT+7. Authorities are considering the possibility that it was a "mistaken shooting" possibly linked to organized crime groups.
The incident occurred around 15:15 local time after emergency services were alerted that a man had been shot near the entrance of a house. New South Wales paramedics provided aid, but the man died at the scene.
Police revealed that the man shot had no known history or connections with organized crime, nor was he negatively known to them. However, he was associated with someone living in the house, who is well-known to police for organized crime matters. The deceased was likely a business partner of the house occupant. Police said, "It is unfortunate but possible the offender shot the wrong person."
Authorities believe the victim had just arrived at the house minutes before the shooting and may have been ambushed at the front door. Investigators are also checking if he was followed from a nearby school after picking up two young children.
Reviewing CCTV footage, police spotted a gray Audi sedan leaving the area shortly after the shooting. They are urgently pursuing those involved and have asked the public to share dashcam footage or any information about the incident.
The Merrylands West shooting happened only one day after 23-year-old university student Marco Tapia was fatally shot inside his family home in Glen Alpine, southwest Sydney, around 03:40 on Tuesday, 1 Sep 2020 GMT+7.
Police stated multiple offenders are believed to have broken into the two-story house, shooting Tapia while he was in bed and family members were asleep. Tapia died at the scene. Authorities suspect this may also have been a mistaken shooting, as Tapia had no criminal gang ties and only minor traffic offenses on record.
Shortly after Tapia’s shooting, a person known to police as linked to organized crime posted on social media: "Wrong target, wrong house." Police are investigating whether this message relates to the shooting.
Police believe the "Alameddine" crime family, a prominent Sydney criminal network, and the contract crime group "Coconut Cartel" are involved in escalating conflicts possibly causing multiple shootings across Sydney in recent months.
The latest shooting has caused community concern as it occurred during daytime in an area usually considered safe. A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they heard multiple gunshots while watching television and were shocked to see many police vehicles arrive. Another local said the incident felt very unusual for a typically safe street and worried the situation could have been worse if children had been outside at the time.
This is not the first time Sydney police suspect gang conflicts have victimized uninvolved civilians. Earlier this year, 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian was reportedly abducted from his home in a dawn raid, with his body found about two weeks later near a golf course. Police believe this was a mistaken kidnapping and murder, with several suspects arrested and charged.
Last year, a Sydney plumber was also fatally shot outside his family home. Police then indicated it might have been another case of mistaken identity.
These ongoing shootings have led the state opposition to demand tougher government measures, stating gang violence is out of control and innocent people are too often targeted.
However, New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley responded that the opposition should reconsider its stance on the national firearms buyback program, which the government has promoted following the Bondi Beach shooting in December.
SourceABC News/nine.com.au/BBC