Alleged drone operator charged with murder after mistaken identity shooting in Sydney

NSW police say 18-year-old was operating drone when arrested and likely ‘conducting surveillance on someone or some premises’

A Sydney teenager has been charged with murder after police accused him of operating a drone as part of a suspected botched gang hit in the city’s west.

Joshua Macdonald, 40, was shot dead at a Merrylands West home on 2 September in what police believe may have been a case of mistaken identity. He was not known to police and had no links to organised crime.

His killing came a day after a seperate mistaken identity shooting in the city, which left 23-year-old university student, Marco Talia, dead in his Glen Alpine home .

NSW police on Friday arrested two men, aged 18 and 19. They alleged the younger man was involved in the killing of Macdonald.

“A drone was seized and forensically examined by detectives, who allegedly uncovered evidence to suggest involvement in the fatal shooting in Merrylands,” police said in a statement on Saturday.

The 18-year-old was charged with murder, participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity and 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.

“That behaviour is obviously of great concern to us,” Det Supt Joe Doueihi told reporters.

“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.”

The shooting of Macdonald was at least the fifth suspected NSW mistaken identity killing since May 2025, with fears reckless overseas criminal leaders are ordering the attacks.

Senior NSW government ministers have insisted the situation was under control.