A Blacktown, Sydney family has pleaded for calm after their rented home was sprayed with gunfire for the second time in a week. Police say they suspect the attacks are related to former residents of the property.

Blacktown

A family residing in Blacktown, Sydney, is urging for peace after their rented home was subjected to gunfire on two separate occasions within a week. Law enforcement officials have indicated that they believe these violent incidents are connected to individuals who previously lived at the address.

Roop Singh, a young resident, was celebrating his fifth birthday amidst the aftermath of the most recent shooting. His family had been gathered together, watching television, when their living room was barraged with bullets around 9pm. The experience, described by the family as akin to a harrowing movie scene, has left them in disbelief. This terrifying experience comes only weeks after their home was first targeted, with the initial attack puncturing the front bedroom with ten bullets.

The property now bears the scars of these assaults, with multiple bullet holes marking both episodes of gunfire. Authorities have articulated a theory that the assailants’ actual target were the home’s former occupants, thus implicating a case of mistaken identity. Investigations have progressed with the discovery of a suspected getaway vehicle, a Ford Ranger, which was found abandoned in Eastern Creek. The vehicle is undergoing forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.

Amidst the uncertainty and fear, the family has decided to relocate in hopes of escaping further violence. They've issued a plea to the perpetrators, emphasizing the futility of their actions against innocent individuals who are unconnected to their intended target. This series of events underscores the severe consequences of mistaken identity, nearly resulting in a tragic outcome for this family.



Family claims 'wrong house' sprayed with bullets

On the other side of this window, pierced by bullets, Roop Singh is opening his birthday present. He turns five today, but just last night his parents feared they were all about to die. You see those scenes in the movies, like the gun people coming in and you lay down on the floor. It was just like that. I couldn't believe it. The family had been watching TV together when shots sprayed into their living room at about 9pm. It's a sound they now know far too well. We had the same thing happen like two weeks ago. Last time, bullets were peppered through the front bedroom of the house. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. The rented home is now riddled with holes. The damage from two attacks, police believe, were meant for somebody else. Police believe this residence, the actual residence, is being targeted through former occupants of the premises, so nothing to do with this family. They do have a lead. This is a suspected getaway car of last night's attack, driving down the street, then looping back. Later, police found the Ford Ranger abandoned in Eastern Creek. That vehicle has been seized and it will be forensically examined to assist in investigations. Police are still looking for whoever pulled the trigger, but this family isn't waiting around. They intend to pack up and move as soon as possible. Until then, they're pleading for the shooter not to come back. You're just wasting your bullets here all the time. Just go find something else. We are not the same people. So this is not easy for us and our children. A case of mistaken identity that could have very easily been deadly. Samara Gardner for 10 News First.

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