Arabic version: مفوض الشرطة: إطلاق النار في سيدني قد يكون حالة خطأ في تحديد الهوية

According to ABC News, the fatal shooting of university student Marco Tapia during a home invasion in Sydney’s south-west appears to be a case of mistaken identity, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said.

Emergency services were called to a home in Glen Alpine at about 3:40am on Tuesday after reports of a shooting. Police said Mr Tapia, who was in his 20s, died at the scene after multiple offenders broke into the property and fled before officers arrived. His family, who were home at the time, have been assisting police.

The incident had previously been described by Campbelltown City Police Area Command Acting Superintendent Gretchen Atkins as a believed targeted attack. After a social media post claimed the offenders had gone to the wrong house, she said police were considering all possibilities and did not rule out mistaken identity.

Commissioner Lanyon called the shooting “completely unacceptable” and said an innocent life appeared to have been lost to organised crime. He said police had arrested more than 700 people connected with organised crime over the past 12 months for offences like the one under investigation.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the shooting as “absolutely shocking” and referred to a fee-for-service model in which people commit crimes without understanding the consequences. Premier Chris Minns, speaking during a four-day visit to India, said the violent circumstances were distressing for Sydney residents. Investigations continue with help from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.