Teenagers arrested after shooting house with semi-automatic rifle, narrowly missing sleeping child

Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
Police have arrested two teens after two properties were fired upon.
Police have arrested two teens after two properties were fired upon. Credit: AAP.

Following a terrifying mix-up, two 15-year-old boys have been arrested after a shooting spree peppered two separate properties with bullets, narrowly missing a sleeping five-year-old child.

At least 28 shots were fired into the home in Crossland Street, Merrylands, at around 3.30am on Saturday, March 22, after the gunmen allegedly confused the address and shot up the wrong property with a semi-automatic rifle.

A woman and her four children, aged between six months and five years old, were asleep inside as the barrage of bullets pierced their bedroom walls, slammed into bedheads and narrowly missed one of them by 20cm.

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Investigators found a threatening note left behind that they believe was intended for the previous occupants who have alleged links to organised crime.

A burnt-out car was found on Chiswick Street in South Granville a short time later and is being linked to the shooting.

Emergency services were later called to Faulds Road in Guildford West, following reports of another shooting and discovered 15 shots had been fired into a granny flat using a handgun on Wednesday, April 16.

A 26-year-old woman inside the property was uninjured, with police confirming they suspect she was targeted because of her relationship with an alleged organised crime gang member.

Detectives identified the alleged offenders and arrested a 15-year-old male in Condell Park on Wednesday before he was charged with shooting at the properties, participating in criminal group activity, car theft and breaching bail.

He was refused bail to appear in a Children’s Court on Wednesday.

The second teen was arrested and charged with the same offences before being refused bail to appear in the Children’s Court Local Court also on Wednesday.

“This isn’t a game. Your actions are putting the lives of others at risk,” Detective Superintendent Jason Box said in a statement commenting on the behaviour of the two young offenders.

“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.”

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