UPDATE: A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of notorious underworld figure Dawood Zakaria, who was shot during a violent gangland feud in Granville, Sydney, on May 25. This arrest comes as authorities ramp up efforts to combat escalating violence linked to local crime networks.
Detectives from Taskforce Falcon took the teen into custody on Wednesday morning. He faces charges not only for the murder of Zakaria, aged 32, but also for the attempted murder of Sylvan Singh, a 25-year-old Parramatta lawyer, who was injured in the same attack.
The deadly shooting, which occurred while Zakaria was traveling in a Toyota HiLux with associates, left him critically injured with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite his survival for several days in the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The establishment of Taskforce Falcon just days after the shooting underscores the urgency of the situation. This specialized unit aims to quell ongoing violence between factions of the Alameddine crime network, which has seen a significant fracturing after a senior member defected to form a rival crime syndicate.
The feud has led to multiple public shootings over the past six months. The intended target of the Granville shooting, whose identity remains undisclosed due to legal restrictions, was among those who had defected to the new crime group.
Many of the individuals involved in this conflict are currently in custody, facing charges unrelated to the gangland violence. Authorities report that the rising tensions in Sydney’s criminal underbelly pose a serious threat to public safety, prompting swift police action.
As police continue their investigation, they urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward. The community is on high alert as the situation develops, and officials are committed to restoring order in the area.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent story as it unfolds. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert to receive immediate notifications on this and other critical incidents.
