'This is not a game': Boys allegedly recruited by warring gang charged after Sydney shootings
Share this @internewscast.com

Two 15-year-old boys allegedly recruited by warring gangs have been charged after an investigation into early-morning shootings at homes in Western Sydney.

Taskforce Falcon investigators probing shootings at Merrylands and Guildford West earlier this year swooped on the pair this afternoon.

They alleged he fired at least 28 gunshots from a semi-automatic rifle into a home on Crossland Street in Merrylands about 3.25am on March 22.
They alleged he fired at least 28 gunshots from a semi-automatic rifle into a home on Crossland Street in Merrylands. (Nine)

The bullets allegedly travelled through the bedrooms and bedheads where a woman and her four children, aged between six months and five, were sleeping.

The family escaped unharmed, though one of the bullets missed a five-year-old boy by only 20 centimetres.

Taskforce Falcon Commander Detective Superintendent Jason Box alleged the shooting was a case of mistaken identity as the main offender left a threatening note believed to be intended for the previous tenants who had links to an organised criminal network. 

“They had moved out some months previous,” Box told reporters today.

A Nissan X-Trail that had allegedly been stolen from Rouse Hill in September was found burnt-out in South Granville later that same day.

Box alleged the other boy had driven the shooter to and from the home and helped him destroy the car.

They alleged he fired at least 28 gunshots from a semi-automatic rifle into a home on Crossland Street in Merrylands about 3.25am on March 22.
A Nissan X-Trail, that had allegedly been stolen from Rouse Hill in September, outside the home. (Nine)
Burnt out cars at Chiswick Road in South Granville.
The Nissan X-Trail was found burnt out in South Granville after the Merrylands shooting. (Nine)

A 26-year-old woman inside at the time was uninjured.

Box alleged she had a relationship with a member of an organised criminal network.

A Hyundai Tucson that was allegedly stolen from Marsden Park in March was found burnt out on Birmingham Avenue in Villawood.

Box said one of the 15-year-olds was identified as the alleged gunman in both incidents.

He was arrested at Condell Park this afternoon and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with several offences.

A burnt out car on Birmingham Avenue in Villawood after the Guildford West shooting. (Nine)

Police arrested the other 15-year-old boy at Penrith Police Station for his alleged involvement in the Merrylands shooting.

Both were refused bail and due to face a children’s court today. 

Box alleged the boys had carried out the shootings on behalf of gangs, who were recruiting young people through encrypted group chats to commit crimes against rival criminal groups.

“There was no connection between any intended targets and we allege these 15-year-olds simply took this action, this job, to target these people for financial gain,” he said.

“What these young men need to understand is this is not a game, this is real. They’re using real weapons, they’re putting the lives of real people at risk.

“They will be arrested, they will go before the courts, they will go to jail and they also putting themselves and their families at risk.”

Taskforce Falcon Commander Detective Superintendent Jason Box. (Sam Mooy)

Box said recruits were putting their own lives at risk and warned that rival gangs would retaliate.

“There will be repercussions for their actions, if not by us through arresting them, through them being targeted themselves,” he said. 

“That threat could extend to their families.

“I strongly suggest that anyone is involved in any aspect of these crimes to come forward now and see us before they find you.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Manhattan Office Shooting: 5 Dead, Including Off-Duty Police Officer and Shooter

A gunman donned body armor and wielding an M4 assault rifle stormed…

Fire Chief and Spouse Arrested After Adopted Teen Found Severely Undernourished at 55 Pounds

A district fire chief from a county in Wyoming, along with his…

Man Accused in Sydney Hit-and-Run Incident that Hospitalized Two Boys

A man has been charged over an alleged hit and run that…

AFL Legend Nicky Winmar Faces Allegations of Choking and Assault

AFL great Nicky Winmar has been accused of two assaults and of…

‘Unyielding Pursuit: Police Share Disturbing Footage of Arizona Mother’s Last Known Sighting’

Earlier this week, Arizona police released video of the last known sighting…

Attorneys puzzled by judge’s ruling full of ‘factual errors’

Left: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch prepares to address a rally for…

Mother Left for a Walk as House Burned with Children Inside, Police Say

Inset: Kirstin D. Bowers (Shelby County Jail). Background: Bowers’ home after a…

Alina Habba Asserts Her Credibility in Recent Legal Document

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MAY 15: Alina Habba, Acting U.S. Attorney for…

Police Report: Man Threatens Home, Hangs Baby Off Balcony

Share copy link Background: In Memphis, Tennessee, the Washington Manor apartments are…

Attorneys Challenge Trump’s Effort to Remove Deportation Safeguards

Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Kristi Noem at a campaign rally…

Police Share Sketch of Suspect in Deadly Attack on Family During Hike; Suspect Possibly Wounded

The Arkansas State Police say that a suspect, accused of killing two…

Mother Detained Months After Alleging Husband Kicked 5-Year-Old Daughter in Groin Before She Died

The mother of a 5-year-old Nevada girl who died in April was…