An 11-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot wound to his face and neck at a unit in Sydney’s north-west has died in hospital, police said.
New South Wales Police were informed on Thursday evening that the child had died from his injuries. Officers said their inquiries were continuing.
The boy was taken to hospital earlier in the week in a critical condition after the shooting at an address on Fairway Drive, Norwest.
Police believe a single shot was fired, but the weapon has not been recovered. Investigators are examining whether it may have been accidentally discharged while the child was handling it.
Police investigate circumstances of shooting
Three 18-year-old men were arrested at the scene. Two were taken to Castle Hill Police Station, spoken to by officers and released pending further inquiries.
Isaac James Bechara was taken to Riverstone Police Station and charged with concealing a serious indictable offence. Police allege he failed, without reasonable excuse, to provide information that could materially assist the investigation after becoming aware that such an offence had been committed.
Mr Bechara did not appear when the matter was mentioned at Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday, with his lawyer appearing on his behalf. No application for bail was made and the case was adjourned until October 1, when it is due to be mentioned in Parramatta.
Outside court, his lawyer described the case as involving “obviously, tragic circumstances”, adding: “That’s all I’m really prepared to say at the moment.”
Superintendent Naomi Moore, commander of the Hills Police Area, said several people inside the unit were known to police and that possible links to organised crime were being considered.
“A number of individuals that were inside the unit at the time are well known to NSW Police, and their association with organised crime is being considered by investigators,” she said.
Superintendent Moore said police had previously attended the premises but did not detail those interactions. She added that none of the three men arrested was related to the boy.
Tributes paid to 11-year-old boy
Tributes began appearing online after the child’s death, including a message from a man understood to be his father, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
“Rip peace my baby,” he wrote on social media.
The boy’s school said it was “deeply saddened” by the news and was supporting his family, classmates and staff.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” the school said.
“At this difficult time, our focus is on supporting the child’s family and providing wellbeing and counselling support to our students and staff.”
Almost 50 people gathered in prayer outside the children’s hospital while the boy was fighting for his life.
Leila Abdallah, whose three children and niece were killed by a driver affected by drugs and alcohol, also paid tribute to the child.
“We are grateful we got a chance to say goodbye to him,” she wrote. “Today is another heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life is.”
Christian Lives Matter leader Charlie Bakhos urged his followers to keep the boy’s family and loved ones in their prayers.
Police are continuing to investigate what happened inside the unit before the shooting and the circumstances in which the firearm was discharged.
