“This could well be a case of mistaken identity \u2026 it’s probably too early to confirm that Luke was a mistaken identity but it certainly is heading toward that,”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“We believe they were contracted by someone to conduct this killing, we don’t know [who] these people are.<\/p>\n
Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said Luke Manassa was “innocent”. (ABC News: Jak Rowland)<\/p>\n
The Homicide Squad took over the case under Strike Force Hickety to investigate the attack.<\/p>\n
On Thursday police arrested the 17-year-old boy in South Penrith after dawn raids there and in Mt Druitt and Woodcroft.<\/p>\n
About the same time police arrested the 16-year-old boy in Mount Druitt while in Woodcroft police seized a vehicle they believe was the getaway car.<\/p>\n
The 17-year-old briefly appeared in Parramatta Childrens Court via videolink on Friday.<\/p>\n
He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused, with the matter set to return to court on July 11 for mention.<\/p>\n
Detectives executed simultaneous search warrants in South Penrith, Mount Druitt and Woodcroft. (Supplied: NSW Police)<\/p>\n
Superintendent Doueihi said one of the teens was on bail at the time Mr Manassa was killed and that both boys had violent criminal histories.<\/p>\n
He warned in a week where two 15-year-olds were separately charged with drive-by shootings in Western Sydney that the escalation was worrying.<\/p>\n
“I think the problem is these young children don’t understand the consequences of their actions,” Supt Doueihi said.<\/p>\n
“They could end up in jail for a very long time, they could be dead themselves or could be the victims of some form of retaliation by the people they target I don’t think they appreciate the consequences.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Speaking afters the news emerged on Friday, NSW Premier Chis Minns said youth crime needs to be approached differently and from multiple government agencies, including health, education and justice.<\/p>\n
“A young child who’s considered not competent to stand trial, it’s not as if that young person is then wrapped up with other support services, they’re just let go immediately. And that cycle of crime, arrest, before the courts continues.<\/p>\n
“My big fear is that there’s not a sense of consequence for these terrible behaviours and crimes that are being committed.”<\/p>\n
Look back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live
\n moment.<\/p>\n
54m agoFri 4 Jul 2025 at 12:00am<\/p>\n
Press conference over<\/p>\n
That’s it from Superintendent Joseph Doueihi<\/b>.<\/p>\n
For more coverage follow the story on the ABC News<\/b> website.<\/p>\n
57m agoThu 3 Jul 2025 at 11:58pm<\/p>\n
Luke was innocent, police say<\/p>\n
Luke Manassa’s <\/b>family want the public to know the 21-year-old was not known to police for organised crime links.<\/p>\n\n“Luke’s family are absolutely devastated as you can imagine,” Superintendent Doueihi said.<\/p>\n
“I can’t explain what it would be like for a family to endure that they are struggling they are doing it tough. <\/p>\n
“They [Luke’s family<\/b>] want everyone to know Luke was an innocent party he was an innocent victim.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
1h agoThu 3 Jul 2025 at 11:54pm<\/p>\n
Teens ‘don’t understand the consequences’<\/p>\n
In a week where two 15-year-olds were separately charged with two drive-by shootings in Western Sydney, Supt Doueihi<\/b> said the spate of teenage criminals is worrying police.<\/p>\n\n“I think the problem is these young children don’t understand the consequences of their actions,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They could end up in jail for a very long time, they could be dead themselves or could be the victims of some form of retaliation by the people they target I don’t think they appreciate the consequences.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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