World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Sydney teenager charged over alleged plot to kill man outside school
Police say a 19-year-old co-ordinated a plot to kill a man outside a school in Sydney’s south-west.
The alleged target, 44, was sitting in a ute with his 15-year-old daughter on June 9 when a gunman tried to shoot at them.
The gun jammed, and both escaped uninjured as the attacker fled.
Police allege the teenager, David Kulitapa, surveilled the target and helped organise the attempt.
Investigators believe the target was chosen because of family ties to the Alameddine crime family, which has faced attacks from the rival Coconut Cartel; the target’s relatives are not accused of wrongdoing.
Kulitapa faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, weapons and drug offences, and directing a criminal group.
He was refused police bail and was expected to appear in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.
A 19-year-old man, David Kulitapa, has been charged over an alleged plot to kill a man outside a Sydney school.
Police allege Kulitapa coordinated the plot and surveilled the 44-year-old target before the attempted shooting on June 9.
The target and his 15-year-old daughter were in a ute at school pick-up when a gunman pointed a handgun at them.
The pair escaped without physical injuries, and police say they were distressed by the incident.
Kulitapa was arrested during a traffic stop in Sans Souci and faced charges including attempted murder and tracking-device offences.
- Who
- David Kulitapa, 19, has been charged. The alleged target was a 44-year-old man with his 15-year-old daughter.
- What
- Kulitapa is accused of coordinating a plot to kill the man. The charges include two counts of attempting to shoot a person with intent to murder.
- When
- The attempted shooting happened on June 9, about 3pm. Kulitapa was arrested on Wednesday and appeared in court on Thursday.
- Where
- The attempted shooting took place outside a school in Fairfield, Sydney. Kulitapa was arrested in Sans Souci.
- Why
- Detectives allege the target was chosen because of his relation to the Alameddine crime family. The target was not accused of organised crime.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A gunman pointed a handgun at a 44-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter in a ute outside a Fairfield school.
Police arrested David Kulitapa during a vehicle stop in Sans Souci.
Kulitapa appeared in Sutherland Local Court.
- Accused
- David Kulitapa, 19
- Attempted shooting
- June 9, about 3pm
- Target and passenger
- A 44-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter
- Arrest location
- Sans Souci, Sydney
- Court
- Sutherland Local Court
3 sources
What people are saying
[The man] is aware of the threat that was made against him, and he's taking advice on board for, you know, take precautions for his own safety. We're continuing to maintain contact