Sydney communities in fear after mistaken-identity shootings
Residents of communities caught in the crossfire of Western Sydney's gang war say they are fearful and angry, after a series of mistaken identity shootings.
Residents of Sydney communities are living in fear following a series of mistaken-identity shootings linked to organized crime. A Merrylands beauty therapist has considered moving away due to criminal activity, while a Glen Alpine business owner's friends are angered by the death of a local. Since 2021, eight innocent people have died in such incidents, with two in the previous month.
Two 16-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy have been charged with the alleged mistaken-identity murder of university student Marco Tapia. Two days after the Tapia incident, an innocent tradie, Joshua Macdonald, was shot dead in Merrylands West. The ABC interviewed people concerned about the prevalence of gun and organized crime in Western Sydney, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety fears.
Jessica, a beauty therapist, mentioned that friends' houses have been targeted, causing widespread fear. The shootings are occurring during daylight hours, putting more families at risk. Young people are reportedly being hired by offshore criminals to commit "disorganised crime," an evolution of Sydney's underworld activity. Two 16-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy have been charged with Marco Tapia's alleged mistaken-identity murder.
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi stated that the three males charged intended to target someone who lived on the same street as Tapia, suggesting they were contracted as hired guns by an organized crime group. Jon, a Glen Alpine business owner, expressed his unease about mistaken identity shootings, saying it leaves him wondering if criminals will target him due to a shared name.
He acknowledged that current security measures may not be sufficient. Jessica felt more anxious about crime rates, particularly in the past month, and changed her behavior to prioritize safety for her family. The community is concerned about the increasing gang violence encroaching on public spaces, with Cumberland City Council Mayor Ola Hamed stating it's unacceptable that innocent people have been caught in the crossfire.
Police have identified threats early, disrupted criminal networks, and held individuals accountable, but the community remains on edge.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
