Two 15-year-old boys have been charged following a police investigation into a series of early-morning shootings at residences in Western Sydney. The boys were apprehended by Taskforce Falcon after an inquiry into two separate shooting incidents earlier this year in Merrylands and Guildford West.
The police allege that one of the boys was the shooter, firing more than 28 rounds from a semi-automatic rifle into a home on Crossland Street in Merrylands in the early hours of March 22. Fortunately, a woman and her four children, who were asleep in the house, were unharmed, although one bullet narrowly missed a five-year-old boy.
Detective Superintendent Jason Box, commander of Taskforce Falcon, suggested that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. The shooter reportedly left a menacing note that appeared aimed at previous tenants linked to organised crime. The former residents had moved out months prior.
Furthermore, a stolen Nissan X-Trail was discovered burnt out in South Granville on the same day as the shooting. Authorities assert that the second boy drove the shooter to the scene and assisted in destroying the vehicle. Both boys were arrested, and they face multiple charges in connection with the incident.
Detective Superintendent Box stated that the boys had reportedly been recruited by gangs, which are leveraging encrypted messaging to enlist young individuals for criminal activities against rival groups. He emphasised the serious nature of their actions and the potential consequences, warning that such reckless behaviour puts them and their families at risk. Box reiterated that gang involvement can lead to retaliation and criminal prosecution.
Both teenagers were denied bail and are scheduled to appear in a children’s court. The police urge anyone involved in similar crimes to come forward voluntarily before facing potential repercussions.