Teenage boys charged over mistaken identity murder

Marco Tapia, a 23-year-old biomedical engineering student at the University of Technology Sydney and member of Engineers Without Borders, was shot dead in his bed on September 1 in Glen Alpine, Sydney. The attack involved three masked assailants who mistakenly targeted Tapia's residence instead of another location linked to organized crime. Tapia had no criminal record beyond a minor traffic offense.

Tapia’s parents and sister recounted the traumatic event to Channel Nine's A Current Affair, describing it as a "horrific nightmare." His sister Cassie is set to get married in November but will do so without him; invitations for her wedding were scheduled to be sent out on the day of Tapia's murder.

Two teenagers, aged 14 and 16, were arrested two weeks after the incident during raids at homes in Fairfield. They face charges including murder, participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, possession of an unauthorized prohibited firearm, and driving conveyances without owners' consent. The younger teen was also charged with damaging property by fire or explosion.

Detectives believe the teens staged vehicles used in the getaway and provided the weapon for the gunman. The case is being investigated under Strike Force Gareno by the New South Wales police homicide squad.