Teen charged over underworld shooting
Dawood Zakaria, 32, an alleged gangland associate, died in hospital in May after being ambushed and shot in the head in what police suspect was a targeted drive-by shooting in western Sydney.
Now police have arrested a 19-year-old man for his alleged role in the underworld shooting, with Taskforce Falcon detectives descending on an address in Guildford on Wednesday morning. Taskforce Falcon have arrested a teenager over the alleged murder of Dawood Zakaria and the attempted murder of another. NSW Police media Credit: Supplied
The man has been charged with a slew of offences, including murder, shooting with intent to murder, dealing with the proceeds of crime, drug supply, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, illegally possessing ammunition and failing to comply with a digital access order.
He was refused bail and is expected to face Paramatta Local Court on Thursday. Solicitor Sylvan Singh was injured in the shooting. Supplied Credit: Supplied
It's understood the shooting – which claimed the life of Mr Zakaria and seriously injured Sydney solicitor Sylvan Singh – was intended for alleged Alameddine crime gang member Samimjan Azari, who was in the back seat with his bodyguard Levi Vitukawalu.
It was the second attempt on Mr Azari's life. He escaped another attempted hit in Brighton Le Sands – in a group alongside Mr Zakaria – uninjured almost three months before. The 19-year-old was refused bail and is expected to face Paramatta Local Court on Thursday. NSW Police media Credit: Supplied
NSW Police originally set up Strike Force Arrino to investigate the shooting but Taskforce Falcon took over just days after when it was established to combat Sydney-based violent crime.
'The recent violence on our streets is horrific,' NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said at the time.
'We won't tolerate these lawless thugs playing out their vendettas in our communities.'
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