Man shot dead in Sydney home invasion was targeted, police believe

Police believe the fatal shooting of a young man during a home invasion in Sydney’s south-west was a targeted attack, but investigators say they still have many unanswered questions.

The man, who had not been formally identified, was at his Glen Alpine home with family in the early hours of Tuesday when multiple people allegedly broke in. Emergency services were called at about 3.40am. Officers found him with a gunshot wound, and he died at the scene.

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We believe at this point in time it is a targeted attack, that is all the information that we’ve been able to gather at this time.

Acting Superintendent Gretchin Atkins said the alleged offenders left shortly before police arrived. A crime scene has been established, and the homicide squad is assisting the investigation. Police appealed to anyone who saw cars or people in the area to come forward.

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A young man has lost his life today and that’s obviously just tragic.

Atkins said the victim was known to police only for a traffic offence and had no other known criminal involvement. His family were assisting investigators. Police were also aware of a social media post from an alleged Sydney gangland figure claiming the shooting involved mistaken identity, but Atkins said the claim remained part of inquiries.

The shooting came three days after a separate home invasion in Guilford in which a 28-year-old man was killed. New South Wales police have not suggested the cases are connected. The incident also followed the kidnapping and killing of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who police said was abducted from his Sydney home in a case of mistaken identity.

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There were family who were home and, as I said, they’re assisting us and being very, very helpful.