Joshua Macdonald has been remembered as a hero after allegedly shielding his best friend’s two young daughters during a fatal shooting in Merrylands West, Sydney.
The 40-year-old electrician was killed outside a property on Bruce Street on Wednesday afternoon, in what police believe may have been a gangland attack involving mistaken identity.
Family members said Mr Macdonald placed himself between the gunman and the children as shots were fired. His best friend and business partner, Nick Brown, later told relatives that the girls had just returned from school.
Mr Macdonald’s aunt, Darlene Norton, said the family had been comforted by the knowledge that he had acted instinctively to protect others.
“He saved my children’s lives and I am forever grateful for this beautiful soul,” Mr Brown said in a message relayed to the family, according to 7News.
Ms Norton said that putting himself in danger was typical of her nephew. “If he’d known those kids were in danger, anyone was in danger, he’d put himself in front,” she said.
Mr Macdonald, who co-owned an electrical business, had reportedly been visiting the home after spending his day off at a trade show. Relatives described him as hardworking, kind-hearted and devoted to his family.
New South Wales Police said emergency services were called to the property at about 3.15pm on 2 September after reports of a shooting. Officers found a man in his 40s suffering from gunshot wounds, but he died at the scene despite treatment from paramedics.
Investigators believe a grey Audi sedan was seen leaving the area shortly afterwards. Police are examining whether Mr Macdonald was mistaken for another person connected to the property.
Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said the man killed was not known to police and appeared to have no links to organised crime. He said it was possible “the wrong person has been shot by these offenders”.
The residents of the property, however, were described as being well known to authorities. Police believe the intended target may have been associated with the address but did not live there.
The shooting came a day after 23-year-old university student Marco Tapia was killed at his home in Glen Alpine, in another suspected case of mistaken identity. The two incidents have intensified concern over violence linked to Sydney’s organised crime networks.
Mr Macdonald’s family has called for stronger action to prevent further deaths, while police continue to investigate with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
