‘Images do not leave our mind’: Family of innocent shooting victim Marco Tapia speak out on ‘nightmare’ ordeal

The family of innocent Sydney shooting victim Marco Tapia have opened up on their heartache following the “nightmare” scenes that unfolded that fateful morning.

The 23-year-old student was slain with a gunshot wound in his bed, following a terrifying home invasion two weeks ago.

In a televised interview on A Current Affair on Monday evening, his parents described the horror their family faced following the harrowing incident.

“It was a nightmare waking up to that,” his mother, Claudia Tapia said. “It all happened so fast, it went so quickly.”

“It was a horrific way that he passed,” his father Sergio Tapia added.

Mr Tapia added that it was “ridiculously stupid” that his son was taken away in such a callous way.

His older sister Cassie Tapia said the loss of her little brother is “heartbreaking”, with him due to have served as a groomsman at her upcoming wedding.

“We were always proud of him and always loved him, he knows how much we loved him,” his father added.

“We have had great support from family, friends, the church has been terrific.”

“You never prepare for these circumstances,” his mother said. “You never prepare to lose your son.

“You always have dreams for your children, that they’re going to have family and children. You do not prepare for having to bury your son so young.”

The shocking incident happened on Tuesday, September 1, at Mr Tapia’s home in Glen Alpine, near Campbelltown, southwest Sydney.

It is believed his death was a tragic case of mistaken identity, with its roots in Sydney’s shocking gangland wars,

Police said at the time that Mr Tapia was not known to authorities and had no connection whatsoever to any of the city’s notorious gangs.