Story perspectives

NSW Police charge man after 11-year-old shooting death

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 11:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Boy Shot Dead

NSW Police say an 11-year-old boy died after being shot in the face at a Norwest apartment.
He died about 8 pm on September 24 while his mother stayed at his bedside.
Three 18-year-old men were arrested; Isaac Bechara was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.
Superintendent Naomi Moore said investigators are piecing together how the gun was fired and reviewing organised-crime links.

Summary

Catley Defends Buyback

Police Minister Yasmin Catley defended the upcoming buyback, saying fewer dangerous guns will make NSW safer.
Opposition leader Kellie Sloane pledged to freeze the November 2 gun buyback if elected.
The buyback, the biggest in 30 years, is scheduled to begin on 2 November.
Critics argue the scheme targets the wrong groups and urge focus on red-flagging terrorists and more policing.

History

Historical Context

After the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people, Prime Minister John Howard secured the National Firearms Agreement and a 12-month buyback (Oct 1996-Sep 1997) that removed about 650,000 guns. Today, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley proposes a similar buyback to address youth shootings such as the September 24 killing of an 11-year-old, a plan opposed by opposition leader Kellie Sloane.

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Boy Shot Dead

NSW Police say an 11-year-old boy died after being shot in the face at a Norwest apartment.
He died about 8 pm on September 24 while his mother stayed at his bedside.
Three 18-year-old men were arrested; Isaac Bechara was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.
Superintendent Naomi Moore said investigators are piecing together how the gun was fired and reviewing organised-crime links.

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