Teen drone pilot charged with murder in Sydney mistaken-identity shooting
An 18-year-old drone operator has been charged with murder after police say his drone was linked to a fatal shooting in Merrylands West, Sydney.
Investigators from NSW Police's Raptor Squad arrested two young men, aged 18 and 19, in West Hoxton on Friday morning, linking an unmanned aerial device to a fatal shooting in Merrylands West on September 2. The victim, 40-year-old Joshua Macdonald, was shot in what authorities describe as a mistaken-identity incident. Forensic examination of the seized drone allegedly revealed data that implicated the younger suspect as the operator, leading to a murder charge and an additional count of participating in a criminal group.
The 19-year-old was charged with group participation and driving while his licence was suspended; he received conditional bail. Both suspects were refused police bail initially, and the 18-year-old is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday. Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi will hold a press briefing on the arrests.
Why it matters
The case highlights emerging criminal use of drones and raises concerns about mistaken-identity violence in Australia.
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