Widened search, gangland probes after boy shot in face

An 11-year-old boy in Sydney's Hills District was shot in the face, and police are intensifying their search for witnesses in the wake of the incident. The young victim was taken to hospital shortly after 5pm on Monday and is still receiving treatment at a children's hospital, awaiting surgery to remove the bullet. Paramedics were called to the scene by the boy's mother, who is described as being distressed by the incident.

Police were met at the unit in Norwest by the victim, four 18-year-old men and a 44-year-old woman. Three men were initially arrested, but one was later charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and two others were released. Detectives believe that several witnesses from before police arrived were present in the unit. Some of the individuals known to police have connections to organized crime.

The police are investigating the nature of the gathering at the unit, and they have not ruled out any possibilities regarding the cause of the shooting. They have not suggested there is a gunman, but they are considering the association of some of the individuals involved with organized crime.

The man charged with concealing an indictable offence, Isaac Bechara, appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday morning and did not apply for bail. He will remain in custody until his case returns to Parramatta Local Court on October 1. Premier Chris Minns called for anyone with information about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the danger guns pose, particularly to innocent people, including children.

The shooting has been deemed a tragic reminder of the risks associated with firearms. Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.