An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder over his alleged role as a drone operator in the fatal shooting of western Sydney tradesman Joshua Macdonald, as detectives investigate what they believe may have been a case of mistaken identity.
Mr Macdonald, 40, was shot outside a home on Bruce Street at Merrylands West about 3.15pm on September 2. Police have said he was not known to them and had no identified links to organised crime.
Drone seized after two arrests
NSW Police said officers arrested two men, aged 18 and 19, on Friday as part of the investigation into Mr Macdonald’s death. Detectives allege the younger man was operating a drone when he was taken into custody.
A drone was seized and examined by forensic specialists. Police allege evidence recovered from the device suggested the 18-year-old was involved in the shooting.
The teenager was charged with murder, participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity. He was due to appear before a bail court on Saturday. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
The 19-year-old was charged with participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and driving while suspended. He was granted bail at Liverpool Local Court on Friday and is scheduled to return to court on September 24.
Police allege surveillance role
Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi told reporters the alleged use of a drone was a significant concern. Police are investigating whether the device was being used to monitor a person or premises when officers made the arrest.
Detectives allege the 18-year-old was positioned several blocks from the Merrylands West house on the day of the killing and used the drone to watch the area and relay information to those responsible for the shooting.
Police further allege the teenager may have been one of several people contracted to carry out separate tasks connected with the attack. Investigators say organised criminal groups can divide responsibilities such as surveillance, obtaining vehicles and destroying evidence among different participants.
No finding has been made about the teenager’s alleged role. Police have not announced the arrest of the gunman, and the broader investigation remains under way.
Possible mistaken-identity killing
Investigators believe Mr Macdonald may not have been the intended target. His death occurred one day after 23-year-old university student Marco Talia was fatally shot at his Glen Alpine home in another case police have described as a suspected mistaken-identity attack.
The deaths have intensified concern about a series of shootings in Sydney and the recruitment of young people to perform specialised tasks for organised crime networks. Police believe some criminal leaders may be directing violence from overseas while using locally recruited participants to carry out parts of an operation.
Authorities have described the model as difficult to disrupt because individuals may have limited knowledge of the wider plan or of the other people involved. The use of readily available technology for surveillance adds another challenge for investigators trying to prevent attacks before they occur.
Investigation continues
NSW government ministers have said police have the resources required to respond to organised crime violence. Acting Premier Prue Car said last week that police were on top of the situation, while Police Minister Yasmin Catley acknowledged that the alleged outsourcing of criminal activity to teenagers presented a serious challenge.
For detectives, the immediate focus remains establishing the full sequence of events surrounding Mr Macdonald’s death, identifying everyone allegedly involved and determining how the target was selected.
Police have urged anyone with information, CCTV, mobile-phone footage or dashcam vision from the Merrylands West area on September 2 to contact Crime Stoppers. Information can be provided confidentially.
