Luke Manassa Sydney stabbing: Police investigate possible mistaken identity, contracted hit, teens charged

Two teenagers have been charged with murder after a 21-year-old young entrepreneur, Luke Mannassa, was fatally stabbed in an alleged ambush-style attack in Sydney.

Police allege Mr Manassa and his girlfriend were attacked outside a Driftway Drive property in Pemulwuy, western Sydney, about 10.45pm on June 26.

Officers were told two unknown men dressed in dark clothing and disguises had set upon the 21-year-old and his girlfriend when they arrived at the property, NSW Police say.

Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene.

NSW Police homicide squad commander Joseph Doueihi spoke at a press conference on Friday, revealing the two suspects—a 17-year-old from South Penrith and a 16-year-old from Mount Druitt—were arrested after search warrants in Mount Druitt, South Penrith, and Woodcroft.

He said both teenagers are known to police and are allegedly linked to Western Sydney street gangs.

Detective Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as “absolutely intended to be a murder,” saying, “Where you have two armed persons armed with large knives who violently and brutally attack a male for no reason in the front of their premises, there’s no question the intention was to murder that person.”

He confirmed that Luke Mannassa was not known to police and may have been a victim of mistaken identity.

“That certainly is a possibility. It’s probably too early at this stage to absolutely confirm that Luke was a mistaken identity but (it’s) certainly heading towards that.”

Investigators believe the teenagers may have been “contracted by someone to conduct this killing,” though the mastermind remains unknown.

“We don’t know who those people are or if they’re involved with any particular organised crime group,” Det Supt. Doueihi said, adding that the crime was “very, very amateurish, which certainly assisted our investigation.”

The 17-year-old suspect was on bail at the time of the alleged murder, a fact homicide squad commander called “a sad indictment on the whole system,” noting that both accused have histories of violent offences.

Police have seized the weapons used, clothing, communication devices, and a vehicle believed to have helped the offenders flee the scene.

Det Supt. Doueihi appealed for public assistance, urging anyone with information about others involved to contact Crime Stoppers.

“We are hopeful that we can climb that ladder and work out who contracted these two young persons to do this,” he said.