The girl was wearing pyjamas and helping her mother and siblings unpack groceries from a car outside the family’s home in Connells Point just before 6pm on July 8 when she was shot in the hip.
The girl was rushed to hospital under police escort,where she underwent internal surgery and is now recovering.
State Crime Command director Grant Taylor told reporters the following day that a stolen BMW with cloned number plates had been “lying in wait” when a man got out and “let several shots go from a firearm in the direction of the house towards this family”.
Several minutes after the shooting,the black BMW was set alight on Annette Street in nearby Oatley.
Within hours of the incident police arrested 34-year-old Mahmoud Rizk in Oatley,charging him with shooting with intent to murder. He remains before the courts.
Further investigations under Strike Force Camiri,established by the gang-busting Raptor Squad,led police to arrest a second man,21-year-old Hassan Osseili,in Greenacre about 8pm on Tuesday.
He was taken to Bankstown police station and charged with shooting with intent to murder,conspiracy to murder,possessing an unregistered unauthorised pistol in a public place,and participating in a criminal group.
Court documents reveal police believe the original target of the shooting was an unnamed 36-year-old man.
It is alleged Osseili conspired to murder the man at Westmead in the hours before the shooting. But when it was clear that man wasn’t at the Connells Point address,it is alleged a decision was made to shoot the child.
Osseili did not appear on screen when at Fairfield local court on Wednesday and his lawyer,Oussama Elfawal,did not apply for bail. The matter was adjourned until September 13.
Outside court Mr Elfawal said the police have alleged “very sinister conduct” but “whether the police evidence can confirm that conduct was that of my client is yet to be seen”.
Police have seized two vehicles,a firearm,and other relevant items over the course of the investigation,which have undergone further forensic and ballistic testing.
Investigations under Strike Force Camiri are ongoing.
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