Mahmoud Rizk and Hassan Osseili: pair charged with shooting with intent to murder child initially targeted 36yo
The reason two men allegedly shot a nine-year-old girl in the hip while unpacking groceries from her car outside her home can be revealed.
Court documents have revealed information about the alleged intended target of a horrific shooting in which a nine-year-old girl was shot in the hip while unpacking groceries from a car.
Mahmoud Rizk, 34, and Hassan Osseili, 21, were charged with shooting with intent to murder after the child was shot outside her home in the southwest Sydney suburb of Connells Point on July 8 last year.
They were also charged with conspiring and agreeing to murder another person, which can now be revealed to be a 36-year-old man.
Police allege the pair conspired to murder the man between 3:30pm and 6:15pm on the night of the incident. Between 5:06pm and 6:15pm, they allegedly made a decision to shoot the girl after the 36-year-old man was nowhere to be found.
After being rushed to hospital, the girl underwent internal surgery.
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At Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, the prosecution dropped a charge of participate in a criminal group against both men.
They have also been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, firing a firearm at a dwelling “in the course of organised criminal activity” with reckless disregard for safety and possess a pistol without a licence.
The weapon allegedly used was a “9mm Parabellum caliber Spreewerk P. 38 self-loading pistol,” according to court documents.
Both men remain in custody. Osseili, who used to live in Greenacre, was refused bail while Rizk, from Pendle Hill, did not apply for bail.
They are next due to face Downing Centre Local Court on March 2.
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