The fatal shooting occurred at an apartment in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Sept. 21
Credit: ABC News Australia
NEED TO KNOW
- An 11-year-old boy has died three days after he was shot in the face in Sydney, Australia
- Three 18-year-old suspects have been arrested, with one charged and denied bail amid the police’s ongoing investigation
- Police are investigating possible links to organized crime and have not yet recovered the firearm used in the shooting
An 11-year-old boy has died in hospital three days after he was shot inside an apartment in Australia.
At around 5 p.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 21, police responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in Sydney, where they found a boy with a “gunshot wound to his face and neck,” the New South Wales (NSW) Police said in a news release.
Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was rushed to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. He died at around 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, NSW police confirmed.
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Five other people were at the home at the time of the shooting and were not injured. Among them was a 43-year-old woman and another person who left the scene before the police arrived, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
Three men, all aged 18, were arrested in connection with the shooting. Two of them were taken to The Hills Police Station and were later released, pending further investigation.
The third suspect, Isaac Bechara, was charged with concealing a serious indictable offense and remains in custody after being refused bail at a hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 22, per ABC. The case has reportedly been adjourned until October.
“This shooting at this stage does not appear to be linked directly to current conflicts,” Superintendent Naomi Moore said, per 9 News. “However, a number of individuals inside the unit at the time are well-known to NSW Police, and their association with organized crime is being considered by investigators.”
A firearm has reportedly not yet been recovered by police, according to ABC.
Credit: Alamy
The 11-year-old victim was a member of Sydney’s Maronite community, according to 9 News. His identity has not been publicly shared at this time.
The boy’s school said in a statement, per ABC, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic loss. At this difficult time, our focus is on supporting his family and providing wellbeing and counseling support to our students and staff.”
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
NSW Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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