Two 15-year-old boys charged as alleged ‘guns for hire’ over Sydney shootings linked to organised crime
Two teenage boys have been charged over a pair of gang-related shootings in Sydney, one of which saw 28 bullets mistakenly targeted at a family home with four young children sleeping inside.
NSW
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Taskforce Falcon detectives have charged two 15-year-old boys they say were employed as guns for hire over separate Sydney shootings allegedly linked to organised criminal networks, including one believed to have mistakenly targeted a family home with four sleeping children.
Just after 3.25am on March 22, police were called to Merrylands house following reports of a shooting.
Officers found at least 28 shots had allegedly been fired into a home using a semiautomatic rifle.
Despite no reported injuries, a woman was inside at the time with her four young children.
Police allege the bullets travelled through bedrooms and bedheads where the children were sleeping, with one bullet missing the five-year-old by just 20cm.
Investigators believe the home was wrongly targeted and that a threatening note left at the scene was intended for someone else with links to an organised criminal network (OCN).
A burnt-out Nissan X-Trail, allegedly stolen from Rouse Hill the previous September, was found a short time later in South Granville and treated as linked to the shooting.
The second incident occurred shortly before 2.15am on April 16, when police were called to Faulds Rd in Guildford West.
Officers found 15 shots had allegedly been fired by a handgun into a granny flat.
The 26-year-old female occupant was uninjured and police allege the property was targeted due to her relationship at that time with an alleged member of the Alameddine crime network.
She is not accused of any wrongdoing.
A Hyundai Tucson, allegedly stolen from Marsden Park in March, was found alight shortly after on Birmingham Ave in Villawood.
Both shootings were referred to Taskforce Falcon, a joint initiative between the State Crime Command and NSW Crime Commission, with Strike Forces Hamert and Beech formed to investigate.
Detectives identified one 15-year-old male as the alleged gunman in both shootings and another 15-year-old as allegedly involved in the Merrylands incident.
At 12.10am on Wednesday, the alleged shooter was arrested in Condell Park and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
He was charged with a string of offences including two counts of firing a firearm at a dwelling for organised criminal activity, four counts of damaging property by fire or explosion and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in a Children’s Court on Wednesday.
Just after 9.45am, the second boy was arrested at Penrith Police Station and charged with fire firearm at dwelling etc organised criminal activity, four counts of damage property by fire/explosion, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, and participate criminal group contribute criminal. He too was refused bail.
Commander of Taskforce Falcon, Detective Superintendent Jason Box, warned young people about becoming involved with organised crime.
“This isn’t a game. Your actions are putting the lives of others at risk,” Det Supt Box said.
“The outcome for you committing these serious acts of violence will be losing your freedom, your future and potentially your life.
“If you are involved with the organised criminal networks, come forward now before it is too late for you to do so.”
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Originally published as Two 15-year-old boys charged as alleged ‘guns for hire’ over Sydney shootings linked to organised crime
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