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Sydney

Sydney police investigate second possible mistaken identity killing in two days

Two men dead in separate attacks as police warn of organised crime violence

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By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Police in Sydney are investigating a second possible mistaken identity killing in less than 48 hours, after a man in his 40s was fatally shot in a drive-by attack in Merrylands West on Wednesday, following the mistaken-identity shooting death of university student Marco Tapia on Tuesday.

About 15:15 local time on Wednesday, emergency services responded to reports of a drive-by shooting at a home in Merrylands West, where a man in his 40s was found dead at the scene. Police believe the victim had arrived at the home just moments before he was shot in the doorway.

Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said the victim had no known links to organised crime, but had associated with people who reside at the address. The residents of the home are "very well known to police" with links to organised crime, and the man who was shot was "quite likely" a business associate.

Asked if investigators were treating the case as a suspected mistaken identity, police said: "Tragically, that is a possibility that the wrong person has been shot by these offenders."

The attack follows a similar killing on Tuesday, when Marco Tapia, a university student in his 20s with no criminal ties, was shot dead during a home invasion in Glen Alpine in Sydney's southwest. Police say the Tuesday shooting appears to be an "innocent life" taken by organised crime.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the killing as "completely unacceptable". "The fact that what appears to be an innocent life was taken [on Tuesday] is something that no community should accept and no community should live in fear of violence," Lanyon said. "I don't want any innocent member of the community to be impacted by organised crime. We will not tolerate it."

After the Tuesday killing, a known organised crime figure posted a message on social media saying: "popped the wrong person, didn't even get the right house."

Earlier this year, a Sydney grandfather was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. Chris Baghsarian, 85, was taken from his home in a pre-dawn raid and his body was found two weeks later near a golf course. Several people have been arrested and charged in that matter. Last year, a Sydney plumber was also shot dead in front of his family home in what police said was a mistaken identity killing.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Two fatal shootings in 48 hours, both potentially involving innocent victims, raise serious concerns about the reach and recklessness of organised crime in suburban Sydney.
  • The killings highlight a pattern of mistaken identity attacks, eroding public confidence in safety and putting ordinary residents at risk.
  • Police are under pressure to stem the violence and reassure the community, with calls for stronger action against organised crime networks.

Background

Sydney has seen a series of gangland and organised crime-related shootings in recent years, often linked to drug trafficking and rival criminal groups. While many attacks target known figures, there have been several high-profile cases where innocent bystanders or misidentified individuals have been caught in the crossfire. The 2024 killing of a plumber and the 2025 abduction and murder of an 85-year-old grandfather both involved mistaken identity, according to police.

Key Perspectives

New South Wales Police: Commissioner Lanyon has condemned the violence, vowing zero tolerance and promising to hold perpetrators accountable. Police are treating both shootings as linked to organised crime and are investigating possible mistaken identity. Community and victims' families: The family of Marco Tapia is grieving and likely seeking justice. Residents in affected suburbs may feel unsafe, especially given the daytime nature of the second attack. Critics and observers: Some may question the effectiveness of current policing strategies against organised crime, noting that attacks on innocent people continue despite high-profile arrests. The social media bragging by a known criminal figure underscores a perceived impunity.

What to Watch

  • Whether police make arrests in either shooting and any charges that follow.
  • Any further retaliatory violence or escalation between organised crime groups.
  • Public and political pressure for new measures, such as increased police resources or tougher laws on organised crime.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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