Man charged with murder of 12-year-old shot in Sydney flat

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 21:28 · Archive

A 19-year-old man has been charged with murdering a 12-year-old boy shot in the face at a Sydney apartment in September.

Isaac Bechara, now 19, was charged with murder at Silverwater Prison on Tuesday. He was 18 when the boy was fatally shot inside the Moda apartment complex in Norwest on 21 September. Police were called to a unit on Fairway Drive at about 5pm following reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they found the 12-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to his face and neck. He was treated at the scene and rushed to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in critical condition, but died three days later.

Police believe about 10 people were in the apartment at the time, including the boy's mother and several 18-year-old men. Some fled after the shooting. Investigators believe the boy may have been one of several people handling an illegal gun when it discharged. None of the other occupants have co-operated with investigators, who have been unable to establish how the boy was shot. The boy's family has co-operated with police.

Three 18-year-old men were arrested following the incident. Two were released without charge pending further inquiries. Bechara was initially charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and remained in custody. Homicide squad detectives laid the fresh murder charge after taking over the investigation.

Superintendent Naomi Moore said several people inside the unit were well known to police and their association with organised crime was being considered. The boy's father is a convicted cocaine dealer, and other family members are linked to organised crime. The murder weapon was removed from the scene before responders arrived and has not been recovered.

Bechara was remanded in custody and appeared in bail court on Wednesday. Police have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to investigate.

How it is being reported

• Man arrested and charged with murder after 12-year-old shot deadA 19-year-old man has been charged with murder after a child was allegedly shot in the face and later died.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 21:12
• Man arrested and charged with murder after 12-year-old shot deadA 19-year-old man has been charged with murder after a child was allegedly shot in the face and later died.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 21:11
• Murder charge over fatal shooting of 12-year-old boyWeeks after a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot in the face at a suburban home, a young man has been arrested and charged with murder.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 21:03
• Murder charge over fatal shooting of 12-year-old boyWeeks after a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot in the face at a suburban home, a young man has been arrested and charged with murder.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 21:03
• Sydney man charged with murder of 12-year-old boy fatally shot in faceIsaac Bechara is charged with murdering the boy in a Sydney apartment last month. He was 18 at the time of the attack.WAtoday · 13 Oct, 20:45

In this story: Isaac Bechara · Norwest · NSW Police · The Children's Hospital at Westmead · Strike Force Janilo

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem