An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder after NSW police alleged he was operating a drone as part of a suspected botched gang hit in Sydney's west. The teenager was arrested on Friday, with police seizing and forensically examining the drone, which allegedly uncovered evidence linking him to the fatal shooting of Joshua Macdonald.
Drone evidence links teen to fatal shooting
Joshua Macdonald, 40, was shot dead at his Merrylands West home on 2 September. Police believe the killing may have been a case of mistaken identity, as Macdonald was not known to police and had no links to organised crime. His death came one day after another suspected mistaken identity shooting in the city, which left 23-year-old university student Marco Talia dead at his Glen Alpine home.
NSW police on Friday arrested two men, aged 18 and 19, in connection with the investigation. In a statement on Saturday, police said: "A drone was seized and forensically examined by detectives, who allegedly uncovered evidence to suggest involvement in the fatal shooting in Merrylands."
Charges and court appearances
The 18-year-old was charged with murder, participating in a criminal group, and contributing to criminal activity. He was expected to appear in bail court on Saturday. The 19-year-old was charged with participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity, and driving with a suspended licence. He was granted bail in Liverpool local court on Friday and was scheduled to return to court on 24 September.
NSW police said the 18-year-old was operating a drone when he was arrested on Friday morning. Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi told reporters: "That behaviour is obviously of great concern to us. It's more than likely that he was involved in some type of criminality and conducting surveillance on someone or some premises. We are still in the process of identifying who that may have been."
Rising mistaken identity killings
The shooting of Macdonald was at least the fifth suspected NSW mistaken identity killing since May 2025, with fears that reckless overseas criminal leaders are ordering the attacks. Senior NSW government ministers have insisted the situation was under control.
Last week, the acting NSW premier, Prue Car, said "police are on top of this". The police minister, Yasmin Catley, echoed that sentiment and said a new criminal model, which allegedly outsourced criminal activities to teenagers, was "very challenging". Catley added: "Police are doing everything they can."
