11-Year-Old Critically Injured by Gunshot in Norwest Home, Community Sends Tributes

An 11-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound to the face and neck at a residence on Fairway Dr in Norwest and was taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Police believe a single shot was fired, have not recovered the firearm and are considering whether the child may have mishandled it. Online tributes from the boy’s father, school officials, and community figures such as Leila Abdallah and Charlie Bakhos have been circulating.

Three men, all 18, were detained at the scene; two were released, while Isaac James Bechara was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and will appear in court later. Superintendent Naomi Moore noted that several occupants of the unit are known to police and their possible organised-crime connections are under review. No relatives of the boy were among those arrested. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm.