The man who was shot dead in a terrifying \u201ctargeted\u201d home invasion in Sydney\u2019s southwest has been identified. <\/p>\n
Student Marco Tapia, 23,was found with a gunshot wound at Mount Sugarloaf Drive in Glen Alpine about 3.40am on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Initial reports suggest he was in his bed at the time of the shooting. <\/p>\n
Police were told the unknown intruders had fled the scene a short time before officers arrived.<\/p>\n
Mr Tapia could not be saved and died at the scene.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old is believed to have been studying Biomedical Engineering and, in 2024, had graduated with a Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences.<\/p>\n
Police said he had no known gang affiliations and was only known to authorities for traffic offences.<\/p>\n
A neighbour told 7News they saw three men in black balaclavas running from the scene shortly after the shooting. <\/p>\n
It is not yet known how many people were inside the house at the time of the home invasion.<\/p>\n
Acting Superintendent Gretchin Atkins said police were treating the incident as targeted. <\/p>\n
\u201cA young man has lost his life today, and that\u2019s obviously just tragic,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Shortly after the shooting, the alleged leader of the Sydney gang Coconut Cartel, Iziah Utai, shared a post on his Instagram story on Tuesday morning, seemingly referring to the Glen Alpine shooting. <\/p>\n
\u201cPopped the wrong person,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t even get the right house.\u201d <\/p>\n
Superintendent Atkins said police were investigating Mr Utai\u2019s post.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re aware of those online social media posts, and everything is under consideration,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said the fatal shooting was \u201cjust tragic\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cGangland war is out of control on our streets in Sydney,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201c50 shootings this year alone. It\u2019s terrifying. This is Sydney, not Colombia. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a situation with a 23-year-old shot dead in his bed overnight. A grandfather was kidnapped and murdered. People are being shot at in front of Sydney schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large crime scene has been established as officers comb through the evidence. <\/p>\n
Police escorted distraught family members from the house while emotional friends and loved ones gathered at the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were family who were home, and they\u2019re assisting us, and they\u2019re very, very helpful,\u201d Superintendent Atkins said.<\/p>\n
She said police were \u201creassuring the public that it is a targeted attack\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s certainly not something that anybody would want to be occurring,\u201d Superintendent Atkins said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are just encouraging anybody as well \u2026 if they see somebody or something that is suspicious, if they have any concerns, they contact triple 0.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the locals and residents in this area, (if) they saw anything in the lead-up, to also please contact Crime Stoppers and let us know.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny small piece of information is what we may get the break that we\u2019re actually looking for.\u201d <\/p>\n
The State Crime Command homicide squad has been called in to assist in the investigation.<\/p>\n
Anybody with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.<\/p>\n