Aspiring Rugby Star Accused of Orchestrating Failed Assassination Attempt in Sydney
Police allege David Kulitapa, 19, tracked victims before gunman's weapon jammed twice during school pick-up.
An aspiring rugby league player is accused of orchestrating a botched assassination attempt on a father and his teenage daughter outside a Sydney school in June, according to police.
David Kulitapa, 19, was arrested Wednesday and charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and two counts of attempting to discharge loaded arms with intent to murder, among other offenses. He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until a court appearance on December 17.
Detectives allege Kulitapa, an apprentice renderer, was involved in preparatory acts for the "extremely targeted and calculated attack" that occurred in broad daylight at Fairfield West on June 9. These acts allegedly included staging vehicles, conducting surveillance, and using tracking devices to monitor the victims' movements. Police believe the attack was contracted from overseas.
The alleged victims were sitting in a vehicle outside a high school around 3 p.m. when a gunman reportedly attempted to shoot through the windshield. The pistol jammed, and the father and daughter fled the vehicle. The gunman then allegedly aimed at the teenage girl and attempted to fire again, but the weapon jammed a second time.
State Crime Command's Taskforce Falcon arrested Kulitapa during a traffic stop. He is not alleged to have been the gunman or the driver of the vehicle involved.
Police stated that the father and daughter, who are relatives of a known gang figure, were not directly involved in Sydney's underworld feuds but were targeted due to their family association. "They had not done anything to anyone to deserve to be a victim of this type of crime," Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Smith said. "It's hard to know whether they knew the girl was there or not (but) it's in a busy street, at school pick-up time, the possibility there would be children or other people in the vicinity is quite high."
The father and daughter were distressed but uninjured following the incident. "I'm not sure how you would ever get over something like this … they are understandably still affected by the incident, particularly the young girl," Smith added.
Several other charges against Kulitapa relate to a property search in Cronulla that allegedly yielded a knife and illicit drugs.
The investigation into the alleged gunman and any other individuals involved is ongoing. Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.