Wakeley: Ross Houllis allegedly attacked after arranging to meet on Facebook Marketplace

A man has been charged with murder after he allegedly attacked and dragged Ross Houllis through a carpark, following a meet-up to exchange goods organised through Facebook.

Police investigate after Ross Houllis, aged 28, was allegedly attacked after attendeding a shopping centre on Bulls Road, Wakeley. Picture: NSW Police

Police have condemned the fatal bashing of a Wakeley man as “senseless” with one suspect facing upgraded murder charges and another still on the run.

Ross Houllis, 28, allegedly met with two men in a shopping centre carpark in Wakeley at about 9pm on Valentine’s Day evening to exchange goods organised through Facebook Marketplace.

Police will allege Mr Houllis was then brutally assaulted on Bulls Rd and dragged to the vicinity of Goulburn Pl where the assault continued and he was left for dead.

Fairfield commander Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden said Mr Houllis, who succumbed to serious head injuries on Monday, was allegedly subjected to a “deliberate, significant and horrific” attack.

Ross Houllis, aged 28, died after he was allegedly attacked in a carpark. Picture: NSW Police

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the attack on Mr Houllis was deliberate, significant and horrific for the man to have to experience,” Det Supt McFadden said.

“(Mr Houllis’s parents) are devastated. It is the senseless taking of a life, and our investigation focuses on holding those responsible to account.”

Police investigating located the alleged getaway car, a Toyota Hilux, the next day at an apartment on Marion St, Bankstown. They seized the ute and searched the apartment.

Sami Hamdach, 27, went to Bankstown police station within 24 hours of the investigation beginning and was charged with grievous bodily harm to person with intent. The charge was upgraded to murder when the man faced Bankstown Local Court today following Mr Houllis’s death in hospital.

He was not required to attend and his lawyer asked the court to adjourn the matter.

In comments offered after the hearing, his lawyer said an application for bail is expected to be filed in the near future.

Detectives investigate the allege assault of Ross Houllis. Police say he arranged to meet someone in a carpark in Wakeley on Facebook to exchange goods. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Hamdach was remanded in custody and will appear again in court on April 15.

Police are currently searching for a second man described as Middle-Eastern or European aged between 25 to 30 years old, with a medium to solid built and 175cm to 180cm in height.

Det Supt McFadden said police were still investigating “the finer points of the online transaction,” alleged to be Apple airpods that Mr Houllis was attempting to sell, but said he was “optimistic” about catching the remaining man due to witness accounts and CCTV footage.

“I commend the detectives from Fairfield and form the Homicide Squad for having a person of interest in custody within 24 hours, but we’re looking to community assistance for the second person,” he said.

“A number of cars passing by (Bulls Rd) may have seen the interaction, as the two men with Mr Houllis were there for a reasonable period of time.”

Det Supt McFadden urged further witnesses to contact Crimestoppers and cautioned members of the public about online marketplace platforms.

“Anyone who chooses to go online, they’re popular platforms for the exchange of goods and services,” he said.

“Make sure you understand who your clients are, meet in safe places and circumstances. The safety of yourself, your friends and family is paramount.”