Innocent families have been jolted awake in the middle of the night to the sound of gunfire, their homes sprayed with bullets in a wave of escalating violence.

Police believe at least three of the incidents were cases of mistaken identity, including the execution-style killing of 23-year-old John Versace outside his Condell Park home in May.

With the gunfire continuing and tensions between organised crime groups and gang rivals rising, authorities are scrambling to contain the bloodshed.

Victims advocate Howard Brown said the trauma inflicted by Sydney’s ongoing gun violence goes far beyond crime statistics, describing the devastation as “completely senseless” and “without regard for human life.”

“These cowards don’t care who gets hurt, they’re in it for money and have no concern for the innocent families they destroy,” Mr Brown said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or how you live, when these idiots don’t even do proper intelligence, the wrong house, the wrong street, the wrong person can be hit.”

He said the impact on victims’ families is lifelong and deeply personal.

“You never recover, you adapt. Birthdays, baptisms, all the little milestones just become painful reminders that someone is missing.”

He backed stronger sentencing — including life meaning life for contract shootings — and warned entire communities were now living in fear.

“Some families are locking themselves in before dark. They’re prisoners in their own homes. The emotional and economic toll is something we all bear.”

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Taskforce Falcon Commander Superintendent Jason Box said he was alarmed by the increasing willingness of teenagers to carry out violent gang crimes.

“I think the willingness of a lot of juveniles to commit these serious crimes — you know, I really can’t get my head around it,” Supt Box said.

“These juveniles are willingly taking these jobs on.”

He said many young people were being lured by the promise of money without fully understanding the consequences.

“I’ve seen a lot of juveniles drawn into serious matters in the organised crime murders, where they’re used in some capacity, and they don’t really know what they’re doing.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley described the recent spate of violence as “nothing short of horrifying”.

“When innocent people, including children, are caught in the crossfire, it’s absolutely unacceptable,” Ms Catley said.

“Taskforce Falcon was stood up in direct response to this rise in gang-related gun crime, and with more than 150 dedicated officers, it’s already making an impact with 72 arrests and 188 charges laid.”

“Those who bring gang violence into our suburbs will be found, arrested, and held to account. The NSW Government will continue to give police the backing and tools they need to shut this down.”

But Shadow Police Minister Paul Toole criticised the government’s response as inadequate, warning that fear is spreading across entire neighbourhoods.

“There is not a week that goes by now without a report of a shooting taking place in Sydney. People are living in fear and it’s concerning that innocent people are getting caught in the crossfire,” Mr Toole said.

“NSW Labor have allowed criminal gangs to create an environment here in NSW where shootings, break and enters, burnt-out cars and recruiting teens to do their dirty work is a weekly, even daily occurrence.”

“These communities need more than a headline of another taskforce being established. They want to see action now. They want to feel safe in their homes and on the streets.”

“Bail laws need to be tightened immediately for known crime figures to prevent any suspect linked to gang violence from accessing bail and potentially committing further shootings.”

“A lack of early intervention and youth diversionary programs is fuelling the next generation of gang members, putting our communities at further risk and not keeping our kids away from criminal gang recruitment.”

“If the government doesn’t get serious about law and order, we can expect this issue to continue to escalate.”

Here is a timeline of every confirmed shooting to hit Sydney’s suburbs since April.

Kellyville – July 8, 2025

Multiple shots were fired into a home on Janamba Ave shortly before 3.10am, with a man, woman and their two-year-old child inside but uninjured. Shortly after, a car was found ablaze on nearby Gorman Ave. Police believe the incidents are linked and targeted.

Concord – July 3, 2025

The home of convicted cocaine dealer Raymond Frangieh on Davidson Ave was sprayed with bullets just after 1am. Frangieh was not home at the time. Shortly after, a stolen white 2021 Genesis vehicle, suspected to be the getaway car, was found ablaze in nearby Burwood.

Penrith – June 27, 2025

A man in his 20s was shot in the buttocks in a targeted, underworld-linked attack in Penrith. Police believe two gunmen opened fire while he sat in his ute, before fleeing and torching a getaway car in nearby Claremont Meadows. The victim, who has links to organised crime, was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

North Kellyville – June 25, 2025

A home on Nangar Crescent was targeted in a shooting just after 11pm, resulting in damage to the front door and smashed glass panels. The residents—a 48-year-old woman and two men aged 18 and 44—were unhurt but severely traumatised. Authorities believe the incident was a case of mistaken identity. Shortly after the shooting, a vehicle was found torched in the nearby suburb of Rouse Hill.

Auburn – June 17, 2025

Two masked gunmen stormed a kebab shop, firing eight shots and injuring three people, including a 47-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man thought to be the intended target. This marks the fourth known attempt on the man’s life.

Granville – May 25, 2025

Two men — including an Alameddine associate and a solicitor — were shot while in a car in Granville. The victims, Dawood Zakaria and solicitor Sylvan Singh, were ambushed at a red light, while two other men in the car were later charged with firearms offences. Zakaria died in hospital. A suspected getaway car was found torched in nearby Merrylands shortly after.

Condell Park – May 19, 2025

John Versace, 23, was killed late on May 19 after a gunman opened fire on a suburban street in Condell Park. The man, with no known criminal links, was shot in what police have described as an “extremely brutal and violent execution-style killing” in front of his family.

Yennora – May 13, 2025

A 29-year-old truck driver was shot in the wrist and stomach after his vehicle was cut off on Donald St just before 11.20pm. The gunman fled the scene, and the victim was hospitalised in stable condition.

Mount Druitt – May 10, 2025

Up to 30 shots were fired into a home on Frank St while 11 people, including six children, were inside. No injuries were reported. Police believe the drive-by shooting was a targeted attack.

Marsfield – May 9, 2025

A 28-year-old man was shot at multiple times outside his Marsfield home but escaped injury, with bullets striking two nearby houses in what police believe was a single, non-targeted incident. A black BMW linked to the gunmen was found torched in Girraween shortly after, prompting a major police investigation.

Marsden Park – May 1, 2025

Masked gunmen opened fire on a family home in Marsden Park in a suspected case of mistaken identity, in what police believe is the latest escalation in Sydney’s ongoing postcode gang wars.

Bullets were sprayed through the front window of the home just before 10.45pm, before the shooters fled in a getaway car later found burnt out in Girraween. Investigators believe the drive-by is linked to a feud between rival youth gangs 67 (Doonside) and RFA (Mt Druitt).

Guildford West – April 16, 2025

Several shots were fired into a house on Faulds Rd shortly before 2.15am. Approximately 30 minutes later, a burnt-out car was discovered on Birmingham Ave in Villawood. Police are investigating potential links between the two incidents.

Ambarvale – April 14, 2025

A 65-year-old woman, Kim Duncan, was killed in a drive-by shooting at her home on Dickens Rd just after 11pm. At least three individuals exited a dark-coloured sedan and fired multiple shots into the house. Duncan was struck in the leg and died at the scene. Two other occupants were unharmed.

Merrylands – March 22, 2025

A woman and four young children were inside a home on Crossland St when it was shot at multiple times during a suspected drive-by shooting. Police believe the intended target had moved out months earlier.

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