An 11-year-old boy has died in hospital three days after he was shot in the face and neck inside an apartment in Sydney, Australia, with police investigating possible links to organized crime.

Emergency services were called to a residence at around 5 p.m. local time on Monday, September 21, after reports of a shooting. New South Wales Police said officers found the boy suffering from a gunshot wound to his face and neck.

Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in critical condition. Police confirmed that he died at around 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.

Five other people were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and were not injured. They included a 43-year-old woman and another person who reportedly left the property before police arrived.

Three 18-year-old men were arrested in connection with the shooting. Two were taken to The Hills Police Station and later released while investigations continued.

The third suspect, identified as Isaac Bechara, was charged with concealing a serious indictable offense. He remains in custody after being refused bail at a hearing on September 22, with the case reportedly adjourned until October.

Police are also examining whether the shooting may be connected to organized crime. Superintendent Naomi Moore said the incident did not appear to be directly linked to current conflicts at this stage, but several people who were inside the apartment were known to NSW Police and their alleged associations with organized crime were being considered by investigators.

The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting had not been recovered, according to ABC.

The victim was reportedly a member of Sydney’s Maronite community. His identity has not been publicly released.

The boy’s school expressed its condolences to his family, friends and classmates and said it was providing wellbeing and counseling support to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not released further details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.

SOURCE: Escher Walcott, September 26, 2026.