source : the age
Two teenagers, aged 14 and 16, have been charged with the murder of university student Marco Tapia after allegedly providing a weapon to the gunman and staging vehicles before the mistaken identity shooting in Sydney’s south-west.
Tapia, 23, was killed in bed at his Glen Alpine residence in the early hours of September 1 after a group of assailants stormed his family home and sprayed bullets at him.
“Detectives have since confirmed the wrong house was targeted,” NSW Police said in a statement on Thursday morning. “Officers were told the unknown offenders left the home a short time before police arrival.”
Homicide detectives investigating the shooting under Strike Force Gareno raided two homes in Fairfield about 10am on Wednesday and arrested two boys, aged 14 and 16.
“Detectives will allege in court the teens staged vehicles and provided a weapon for the gunman,” police said.
The teenagers were taken to Cabramatta police station and each charged with murder, participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and two counts of driving a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
The 14-year-old boy was further charged with damaging a property by fire or explosion.
The teenagers were refused police bail and are due to face a children’s court on Thursday.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi is also due to address the media.
Tapia was in his third year of a biomedical engineering degree at the University of Technology Sydney, where he had won awards and volunteered for Engineers Without Borders. His only known brush with the law was a minor traffic offence.
Marco’s parents, Sergio and Claudia Tapia, recounted the “nightmare” attack that claimed their son’s life, telling A Current Affair on Monday the violent onslaught happened “so fast”.
“I remember him taking his final breath,” Claudia said. “There was hate that came to our house.”
Sergio said the attack had been forever etched in their memories, but that the family had chosen peace over anger.
Sarah McPhee is the Overnight Homepage Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
