Marco Tapia murder: Three charged including alleged shooter
Three men have been charged with the murder of 23-year-old student Marco Tapia in a case of mistaken identity in Sydney. Police allege the suspects were hired guns from Victoria contracted by an organized crime group to carry out violent acts.
Why it matters
The case highlights the emergence of 'crime as a service' models where organized crime groups contract out violence across state borders.
- 1.06am . First published September 29, 2026 - 7.11pm
shares Share article The three males who allegedly broke into Marco Tapia’s Sydney home and shot him dead in his bed in a mistaken-identity killing travelled from Victoria, police said on Wednesday after charges were laid.
University student Tapia, 23, was fatally shot in his bed after a home invasion at about 3.40am on September 1 on Mount Sugarloaf Drive in Glen Alpine.
Marco Tapia was in bed when he was shot inside his house in Sydney. Nine
Police have said they believe Tapia, who had no connections to any criminal activity, was mistakenly targeted in a botched organised crime hit.
Officers were told three unknown offenders fled the home before police arrived.
Two teenage boys have since been charged and remain before the courts.
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