Sydney police are investigating two separate fatal shootings that occurred within 48 hours, with authorities exploring the possibility that both victims were killed due to mistaken identity in incidents linked to organized crime.
On Wednesday, a man in his 40s was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting at a home in Merrylands West. Emergency services responded to reports of the incident around 3:15 p.m. local time. The victim died at the scene. Police stated that the man had arrived at the residence shortly before the shooting and that while he had associates living there, he personally had no known links to organized crime. Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser indicated that it was tragically possible the "wrong person" had been shot.
The incident followed a shooting on Tuesday morning in Glen Alpine, where a university student in his 20s was killed during a home invasion. Police described this victim as an "innocent life" with no criminal ties, with his only interaction with law enforcement being over a traffic offense. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon called the Tuesday killing "completely unacceptable."
Following Tuesday's shooting, a message posted on social media by a known organized crime figure reportedly stated, "popped the wrong person, didn't even get the right house." Police are considering this as part of their investigation.
This is not the first time mistaken identity killings have been a concern for Sydney police. Earlier this year, an 85-year-old man was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in what authorities believe was a case of mistaken identity. Last year, a Sydney plumber was also fatally shot in front of his family home in a suspected mistaken identity incident. In both those cases, arrests and charges have been made.