Police probe potential second mistaken identity hit

A man in his 40s was killed on Wednesday in what police suspect could be a second accidental shooting in a single day. The victim, who has not been officially identified, was shot outside a home in Merrylands West, Sydney. He had only recently arrived at the residence for a visit with a male resident and two children, who were likely returning home from school.

The children were inside the house when gunfire erupted. Police say there may have been a mistaken identity involved. Multiple attackers broke into a two-story home in Glen Alpine, Sydney, early Tuesday morning, fatally shooting 23-year-old Marco Tapia in his bed. At this stage, Tapia is also being considered a potential victim of mistaken identity.

Police are searching for a grey Audi sedan captured on CCTV leaving the scene. The victim in Merrylands West had no criminal record, while Tapia, who had only a minor traffic offense, was not known to police. A local alleged underworld figure posted online that the perpetrators had mistaken their target, with his group, the Coconut Cartel, allegedly in conflict with the Alameddine network.