Teen Charged with Murder in Sydney, Australia, Gangland Shooting Linked to Taskforce Falcon

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A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder over the fatal shooting of Sydney underworld figure Dawood Zakaria in Granville earlier this year. This represents the first murder charge brought under NSW Police’s Taskforce Falcon, an operation dedicated to combating organized crime across the region.

The incident occurred on May 25 when Zakaria, 32, was seated in a Toyota Hilux at a traffic light on Church Street in Granville. He was shot multiple times by assailants believed to be connected to the Alameddine crime network. Zakaria’s passenger, lawyer Sylvan Singh, was also injured, while two other men in the vehicle escaped unharmed. Investigators say the attackers approached the Hilux in a nearby Mercedes before opening fire, carrying out a brazen act in broad daylight in a busy area.

Detectives from Taskforce Falcon arrested the 19-year-old man in Guildford on Wednesday. He now faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and other gang-related offenses. Detective Superintendent Jason Box emphasized that the suspect’s actions before, during, and after the shooting marked him as a principal participant in the crime, even if he was not the sole perpetrator. Box described the shooting as “brazen” and highlighted the potential risk it posed to bystanders in a busy urban environment.

Taskforce Falcon was established following Zakaria’s death to address rising violence linked to organized crime in Sydney. Since its creation, the task force has investigated at least 16 shootings believed to be connected to gang activity, including incidents in Merrylands and Auburn, areas with known gang presence. Police efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and ongoing investigations into violent attacks tied to criminal networks operating in the region.

The arrest of the 19-year-old is regarded as a significant step in the fight against gangland violence in Sydney. Authorities hope that charging key figures involved in high-profile shootings will disrupt criminal networks and reduce public risk. Superintendent Box acknowledged the challenges in tackling entrenched organized crime but defended the police response, noting the ongoing successes of Taskforce Falcon in identifying and apprehending suspects involved in violent offenses.

The suspect is scheduled to face court in the coming days, where he will answer to the murder and attempted murder charges. Investigators continue to probe the wider criminal network connected to Zakaria’s killing, working to dismantle ongoing threats posed by organized crime factions in the area.

Community response has been closely monitored, with residents and local leaders calling for sustained law enforcement action to address gang-related violence. Police continue to urge the public to provide information that could assist investigations into both Zakaria’s death and other linked criminal incidents, underscoring the importance of community cooperation in tackling crime.

Authorities maintain that Taskforce Falcon will persist in targeting organized criminal networks, ensuring accountability for violent acts and enhancing safety across Sydney neighborhoods. The arrest represents a key development in a high-profile case and underscores ongoing law enforcement efforts to confront gang-related violence head-on.