Retaliation attack fears between 051 and KBS street gangs over Andrews Farm shooting, court hears

A botched murder attempt to kill a rival gang member could end up in a retaliation attempt against one of six accused young males, a court has heard.

An African street gang may target a rival gang member – or his family – over a botched murder plot if he’s released on bail, a court has heard.

The man, 21, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday seeking home detention bail after police alleged sinister murder plot to kill a rival gang member left an innocent teen with a gunshot wound.

The accused, who is yet to enter any pleas to one count of conspire to murder and one count of commercial drug trafficking, is one of six alleged offenders who called themselves ‘Hit Squad’ in online chats.

Three are teenagers whose identities are suppressed.

On Thursday, a prosecutor opposed the man’s bail bid – telling Magistrate Brian Nitschke they had concerns for the “safety” of the accused, his family, and the alleged intended victim.

One of the accused being arrested by police at the scene of the alleged shooting. Picture: 7NEWS

Police conducting an investigation at the scene, in Andrews Farm. Picture: 7NEWS

“We say that if he is to be released, he would present as a risk to the community based on his association with the gang 051,” they said. “There are concerns as to a retaliation attack by rival gang KBS, which may be triggered by his release.

“We believe that his release on home detention bail would pose a significant risk for his own safety as well, and his family’s safety based on the retaliation attack and the tensions between the two gangs.

“There’s also concerns for the intended target of the shooting who is of close association with the KBS gang. The defendant’s proposed address is about a seven-minute drive away.”

The group was arrested in January as part of Operation Meld after gunshots were fired at a home in Andrews Farm, in the early hours of December 16.

The Andrews Farm property that was allegedly shot at by the group. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Operation Meld is a special task force set up to investigate youth gangs, in Adelaide’s north and northeastern suburbs.

Acting Assistant Commissioner John De Candia alleged the accused were all linked to the 051 street gang and the intended target was from the KBS street gang.

Police said the 18-year-old victim – who lived just a few houses down from the intended target – was shot through a bedroom roller shutter window but had made a full recovery.

A court previously heard one of the alleged offenders was arrested with a phone that had a group chat called ‘Hit Squad’.

In the chat, the accused discussed the specific plans of the murder including discussions about “burning the car”, having a “safe car” and making sure to “confirm dead”.

On Thursday, Mr Nitschke ordered a home detention bail inquiry report and adjourned the matter to next week.

He remanded the young man in custody.

Originally published as Retaliation attack fears between 051 and KBS street gangs over Andrews Farm shooting, court hears