Two men have been charged with murder almost six months after a young tradie was executed outside his suburban home.
John Versace, 23, was mistaken targeted in Sydney’s gangland wars when he was allegedly ambushed with a hail of bullets after returning to his Condell Park home in Sydney’s south-west in May.
The young plumber suffered at least four gunshot wounds and died at the scene in front of his parents and adult sisters, who were also living at the home.
NSW Police treated the shooting as mistaken hit as Mr Versace had no criminal past or known ties to organised crime.
Strike Force Harkstede was set up to investigate the shooting, which then continued under Taskforce Falcon when it was established to examine a spate of violent crimes across Sydney.
Following extensive inquiries, heavily armed officers arrested two men aged 43 and 19 during separate raids in Casula and Bankstown early Wednesday morning.
Both men were charged with murder and refused bail to face court later on Wednesday.
Police will allege in court that the men were involved in driving and moving the vehicles involved in the murder.
John Versace (pictured left with one of his sisters) was gunned down outside his Condell Park home on May 19
Police arrested and charged two men over the tradie’s death in separate early morning raids on Wednesday
Police alleged at the time that the gunman got out of a stolen car and fired up to 10 shots at Mr Versace with a semiautomatic pistol before fleeing the scene.
The vehicle was found alight 11km away in East Fairfield a short time later.
It’s understood Mr Versace worked as a plumber for his father’s business.
‘John, no words can describe the pain we are all feeling and will continue to feel for the rest of our lives,’ his sister Deanna wrote at the time.
‘You were the world’s greatest brother, son, grandson, cousin and friend. We are so lucky and blessed to have had the time we had with you but your life was cut too short.
‘You did not deserve this. You’re at peace and with Jesus now. We love you so much John. Our angel forever. This world wasn’t good enough for you. Life will never be the same.’
Another sister Bianca added: ‘I have no words. This world did not deserve you. We’re going to miss that smile that lit up every room, I love you so much my angel.’
