Taskforce Falcon detectives charge alleged gunman in Merrylands and Guildford West shootings
Wednesday, 02 July 2025 12:22:40 PM
Taskforce Falcon detectives have charged the alleged gunman responsible for shootings in Merrylands and Guildford West, one of which is believed to have involved a wrongly targeted home.
About 3.25am on Saturday 22 March 2025, police were called to Crossland Street in Merrylands following reports of a shooting.
Officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command attended and found at least 28 shots had allegedly been fired into a home using a semi-automatic rifle.
Despite there being no reports of injuries, a woman was inside at the time with her four children aged between six months and five-years-old.
Police will allege the bullets travelled through the bedrooms and bedheads where the victims were sleeping, with one bullet narrowly missing the five-year-old by approximately 20cm.
Police will further allege the house was mistakenly targeted, with the gunman leaving a threatening note at the scene – believed to have been intended for the previous occupants who have alleged links to an Organised Criminal Network (OCN).
A burnt-out car was found on Chiswick Street in South Granville a short time later and was treated as linked to the shooting.
It was later confirmed the car was a Nissan X-Trail allegedly stolen from Rouse Hill on Tuesday 10 September 2024.
About 2.15am on Wednesday 16 April 2025, emergency services were called to Faulds Road in Guildford West, following reports of a shooting.
Officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command attended and found 15 shots had allegedly been fired into a granny flat using a handgun.
The 26-year-old female occupant of the flat was uninjured.
Police will allege in court the residence was targeted due to the occupant’s relationship with an alleged member of an Organised Criminal Network (OCN).
A short time later a Hyundai Tucson was found alight on Birmingham Avenue in Villawood.
The Hyundai was identified as being stolen from Marsden Park on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
Both shooting incidents were referred to Taskforce Falcon who commenced Strike Force Hamert and Strike Force Beech respectively to investigate.
Taskforce Falcon was established by State Crime Command, with the NSW Crime Commission, to investigate and suppress violent crime in the Sydney metropolitan area.
Extensive inquiries identified a 15-year-old male was the alleged gunman in both instances. A second 15-year-old male was also identified as allegedly having a role in the Merrylands shooting.
About 12.10am today (Wednesday 2 July 2025), taskforce detectives – with assistance from Operational Support Group ODIN – arrested a 15-year-old male in Condell Park.
He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of fire firearm at dwelling etc organised criminal activity, four counts of damage property by fire/explosion, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and breach of bail.
The teenager was refused bail to appear in a Children’s Court today.
About 9.45am, task force detectives arrested a 15-year-old at Penrith Police Station and charged him with fire firearm at dwelling etc organised criminal activity, four counts of damage property by fire/explosion, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, and participate criminal group contribute criminal.
He was refused bail to appear in a Children’s Court Local Court today.
Commander of Taskforce Falcon, Detective Superintendent Jason Box, issued a warning to young people considering acting on behalf of organised criminals.
“This isn’t a game. Your actions are putting the lives of others at risk,” Det Supt Box said.
“The outcome for you committing these serious acts of violence will be losing your freedom, your future and potentially your life.
“If you are involved with the organised criminal networks, come forward now before it is too late for you to do so.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.