Teen allegedly contracted to surveil shooting victim

A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with participating in a criminal group and driving while disqualified, following reports of suspicious drone activity in West Hoxton, western Sydney. The teenager was operating a drone from a car in the area to surveil someone in relation to a separate crime, police allege. He was located near Joshua Macdonald's home at the time of the murder.

Joshua Macdonald, 40, was shot dead at a home in Merrylands West on September 2, and it is believed he was not the intended target. The 19-year-old was granted bail and will return to court on September 24. The club Jersey Flegg under 21s Cronulla Sharks was informed of the matter involving one of their players and reported it to NRL Integrity.

Young people taking on jobs from criminal gangs are putting themselves and their families at great risk of retribution, Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi warned.