Police in Sydney are probing a second possible mistaken‑identity killing that occurred less than 48 hours after an earlier fatal shooting. The latest incident took place at a home in Merrylands West on Wednesday at about 15:15 local time, when a man in his 40s was shot in a drive‑by attack and died on the scene.
How the Story Unfolded
On Tuesday night, around 03:40, a university student in his 20s with no criminal record was shot during a home invasion in Glen Alpine, a suburb in Sydney’s southwest. He also died at the scene. Police say the Tuesday shooting appears to be an "innocent life" taken by organised crime, while Wednesday’s fatal attack may have targeted the wrong person.
Police Statements
Det Supt Simon Glasser told reporters that the man had arrived at the Merrylands West residence just moments before he was shot in the doorway. "Tragically, that is a possibility that the wrong person has been shot by these offenders," Glasser said. He added, "The victim has no links that we are aware of to organised crime, however he has associated with people that reside at this address."
Glasser further noted that the residents of the home were "very well known to police" with links to organised crime, and the victim was "quite likely" a business associate of those residents.
Commissioner’s Response
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon described Tuesday’s killing of Marco Tapia as "completely unacceptable". "The fact that what appears to be an innocent life was taken is something that no community should accept and no community should live in fear of violence," Lanyon said. He added, "I don't want any innocent member of the community to be impacted by organised crime. We will not tolerate it."
Previous Incidents
Earlier this year, an 85‑year‑old grandfather, Chris Baghsarian, was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in a suspected mistaken‑identity case. He was taken from his home in a pre‑dawn raid and his body was found two weeks later near a golf course, with several people arrested and charged. Last year, a Sydney plumber was shot dead in front of his family home in what police said was also a case of mistaken identity.
Police are continuing to investigate both shootings as part of a broader effort to curb organised crime violence in Sydney.
