Latest news with #contractkilling
The Australian
04-07-2025
- The Australian
Teen boys charged with murder after 21yo Luke Manassa stabbed to death at Pemulwuy, Sydney
Police are investigating whether a 21-year-old stabbed to death in the driveway of a home in Sydney's west was mistakenly targeted in a contract killing. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with the murder of Luke Manassa at Pemulwuy on June 26. Officers were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing attacked the 21-year-old when he and his girlfriend arrived at the Driftway Drive property, NSW Police say. Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene. Forensic police at the scene of a fatal stabbing that occurred on Driftway Drive at Pemulway in western Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said their investigation so far had not revealed why Mr Manassa would have been targeted. 'Investigations today have not identified a clear motive as to why someone would want to (allegedly) murder Luke – he is not known to the NSW Police Force,' he said. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that.' Superintendent Doueihi said police suspected the teenagers charged with Mr Manassa's murder may have been hired to carry out a killing, though it was unclear who may have arranged it or why. He described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Investigators are also considering whether the occupant of the home may have been the actual target. Luke Manassa, was 21, was killed in a stabbing at Pemulwuy on June 26. Police established Strike Force Hickety to investigate the alleged attack. Detectives raided properties in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft at about 6am on Thursday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in South Penrith. He has since been charged with murder and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and has also been charged with murder. Both teenagers were refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Video shows police executing a search warrant on the Western Sydney property. Picture: NSW Police Police seized a vehicle they will allege was the getaway car in Woodcroft. Footage released by police shows officers knocking on a property door before entering, speaking with those inside. It also shows a red Kia SUV – the alleged getaway vehicle – being towed. Investigations are ongoing. Mr Manassa graduated from UTS last year and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group, according to his LinkedIn profile. He described himself as a businessman in a podcast appearance, as per 7News. Several have paid tribute to the 21-year-old in the wake of his sudden death. Basketball club Inner West Bulls posted to social media on Monday: 'Our thoughts are with the Manassa family during this difficult time. A tribute posted to Instagram from his basketball team. Picture: Instagram 'We remember Luke not only for his talent, but for the kindness, energy, and brotherhood he brought to the team. 'He was a valued member of the Bulls – strong, kind, and respected by all who knew him. 'We will carry your memory on the court, always.' Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral said on Monday that commemorations would be held this week. 'With deep sorrow, we announce the passing into eternal life of Luke James Manassa from Blouza (Lebanon) who died in Sydney,' the notice read. 'May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.' More to come Robert White Cadet Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories. @white_robb73416 Robert White
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Unbelievable twist as aspiring businessman, 21, is stabbed to death in the driveway of suburban home while girlfriend watched on in horror - as cops reach a terrifying conclusion
Police have said there is no clear motive for the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa and are looking at the possibility of a mistaken identity case, as two teenagers are charged over what officers believe may have been a contract killing. Luke Manassa, 21, and his girlfriend arrived at a home on Driftway Drive in Pemulwuy, greater western Sydney, on June 26 where he was allegedly ambushed and attacked. Two unknown men, dressed in dark clothing and disguises, allegedly stabbed the 21-year-old entrepreneur with hunting-style knives, NSW Police said. It is alleged Mr Manassa then got back into his car and drove a short distance before being overcome by his injuries. Homicide Squad detectives have charged two teenagers over the fatal stabbing of a man in Pemulwuy last week. The squad's commander, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi told reporters on Friday it was believed to be a botched killing. 'We believe that these these young offenders were contracted by someone to conduct this killing,' he said, adding that the alleged intent was murder. 'We don't know who those people are, or if they're involved with any particular organized crime group.' 'I can indicate that, by the way this offense was executed by these two young persons, it was very amateurish, which certainly assisted our investigation,' he said. Emergency services were called to the home at about 10.45pm that evening regarding reports that a man had been stabbed. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Mr Manassa but he could not be revived and died at the scene. Strike Force Hickety was established and, on Thursday at about 6am, detectives carries out searches in South Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Woodcroft. In South Penrith, police arrested a 17-year-old boy who was taken to Penrith Police Station. He has been charged with murder and failure to comply with digital evidence access order direction. The teen was on bail at the time and police allege that, at the time of the incident, he had a curfew in place. Officers also arrested a 16-year-old boy in Mt Druitt, who was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with murder. Both are linked to western Sydney street gangs and were refused bail. They are due to appear in children's court on Friday. During the search warrant in Woodcroft, police seized what they will allege was used as the getaway car from a separate residence. Two knives have also been seized. The investigation continues. No motive has been established so far. Det. Supt. Doueihi said Mr Manassa was not adversely known to the NSW Police but the occupants of the home were. The young man would visit there occasionally. 'This could well be a case of mistaken identity,' he said. 'It's probably too early at this stage to absolutely confirm that Luke was a mistaken identity, but (it's) certainly heading towards that.' Mr Manassa's family own a demolition company and the aspiring businessman had studied property economics at UTS. He described himself as a young businessman on a podcast last year and discussed his entrepreneurial endeavors and 'side hustles' like selling designer sneakers. 'I knew what I wanted to do for a long time. I wasn't concerned with much else,' he said. Basketball club Inner West Bulls also said their thoughts were with Ms Manassa's family. 'We remember Luke not only for his talent, but for the kindness, energy, and brotherhood he brought to the team,' the Facebook post said. 'He was a valued member of the Bulls - strong, kind, and respected by all who knew him. We will carry your memory on the court, always. 'You will be deeply missed by the entire Bulls community.' It comes nearly two months after innocent plumber John Versace, 23, was shot dead as he got out of his ute at his family's home in Dalton Avenue in Condell Park, in Sydney's south-west, about 10.30pm on May 19. The shooter unloaded about 10 rounds of bullets, with Mr Versace suffering four gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach. He died at the scene. Det. Supt. Doueihi said on Friday that Mr Manassa's killing was indicative of violence on Sydney's streets. 'More broadly, we're seeing some very young people being involved in very horrific crimes across Sydney,' he said.
The Herald
20-06-2025
- The Herald
Hitman jailed for brutal attack on elderly couple planned by son-in-law
A man who was paid R1,000 to kill an elderly couple as they prepared for Fajr — a sunrise prayer — has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the contract killing in Cape Town. Reagan Davis, 35, was handed two life sentences and 15 years' direct imprisonment by the Cape Town high court for the murder of 75-year-old Hashim Ahmed Dennis and attempted murder of his 70-year-old wife Kulsoem at home in Northpine, Brackenfell, on January 31 2020. Davis was a co-accused with the elderly couple's son-in-law Brent Williams — who died in February before the state closed its case. 'Senior state advocate Evadne Kortje proved the murder was a contract killing and the accused was paid R1,000, which he used to buy takkies,' said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila. Evidence was led by 10 witnesses which revealed Williams and his wife Ibtisaam Dennis, who lived with the elderly couple, had marital problems. Williams hired Davis and an unknown accomplice to invade and attack his in-laws to 'neutralise' his marital problems. Williams drove the hitmen to the property and they gained access via a security gate at about 4am and entered the couple's flatlet. '[Kulsoem Dennis] heard the voice of an intruder asking where the money was in Afrikaans before brutally attacking her. The intruder hit her on the head, neck and chest with a gun. She chanted, 'Allahu-Akbar' [God is Great] until she hit the floor. Severely injured and in shock, she lay on the floor, pretending to be dead as her [headscarf] fell softly over her face and she kept her eyes closed,' said Ntabazalila. Her husband was attacked as he came out the bathroom and died after being stabbed 15 times. Ibtisaam Dennis called the police, whose investigation confirmed her husband was the mastermind behind the attack. TimesLIVE
The Guardian
17-06-2025
- The Guardian
Police believe gunmen may be being recruited on social media as hunt for Sydney kebab shop shooters continues
Police investigating the triple shooting at a kebab shop in western Sydney on Monday believe gunmen may be being recruited on social media to carry out contract killings. Two masked men entered the shop in Auburn on Monday and fired eight shots, wounding three people, including a 47-year-old woman employed at the store. A 26-year-old man, who police believe was the target of the alleged attempted killing, was shot in the shoulder and arm but was in a stable condition, New South Wales police said. Det Insp Jason Box said previous attempts had been made on the man's life, including on 13 June. Police alleged conflict between organised crime networks was behind the Auburn shooting and three burnt-out cars discovered in the hours after the incident could be linked. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Box said police believed people 'are being recruited by encrypted devices, social media and word of mouth to commit these offences' and that the method was becoming increasingly 'common'. 'I believe from some of the offenders … some have no connection to organised crime networks until such time as they commit these offences,' Box said. 'I believe it is common and I believe it's increasing.' Police said the Auburn shooters left in a black Audi Q7 with cloned number plates. It was found burnt out in Harris Park on Monday night. Two more vehicles – a white ute and a red commodore with cloned plates – were found burnt out on Tuesday in nearby Greystanes and Merrylands. Box alleged witnesses had reported a white ute – 'with several occupants and their faces covered' – in relation to the 13 June alleged attempt on the man's life. One person in the ute was 'believed to be holding a firearm', Box said. Police are investigating if the commodore is linked. Police said they had spoken to the allegedly targeted 26-year-old on nine occasions, including welfare checks and warning him 'about threats to his life'. Box alleged: 'It's quite obvious how determined they are when you look at yesterday and the continued attempts. This is a fourth attempt on this fellow that we're aware of.' Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion When asked about what has led to the spate of recent shootings in Sydney, Box said: 'There's internal conflict within the organised crime networks for various reasons.' Police and government officials have hosed down suggestions authorities are losing control of the streets. The premier, Chris Minns, said 20 of the 25 organised crime-related murders in NSW since 2021 had resulted in arrests. 'That history proves you'll be caught and, if you're caught, the full force of the law will apply to you,' Minns said. A police taskforce named Falcon has 150 officers working to solve 12 shootings across Sydney since Christmas. The Auburn shooting has been referred to Taskforce Falcon. The woman who was shot twice in the torso is in a stable condition. A 25-year-old man shot in the face is in a critical but stable condition. He is an associate of the 26-year-old man, and was present on the 13 June incident, Box said.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Mother 'orders contract killing of her 12-year-old daughter because she was tired of their constant arguing'
A mother has been detained in Russia after 'ordering the contract killing of her 12-year-old daughter'. She offered a male acquaintance £930 to drown the child in a local river in Chelyabinsk region, according to law enforcement. Unknown to her, the girl was secretly eavesdropping from behind a door and heard her mother's chilling demand to kill her. The woman, named only as Svetlana, 46, cited her bad relationship with her daughter as the reason for her attempt to have the girl killed. She was 'tired' of the 12-year-old's 'bad behaviour' and their 'constant arguments'. After ordering her killing, the mother-of-four sent her daughter out of the house with the man - Andrey, 36 - in Izmailovsky settlement, it is alleged. 'When they were walking along the road, the schoolgirl was very afraid and worried,' reported Shot news outlet, citing law enforcement. 'But the man told her everything and promised to protect her. 'He hid the girl at his home and went to the police.' The woman had offered to pay cash for drowning her in Bolshaya Karaganka River, he told officers. Police detained the woman who faces up to 15 years in jail for incitement to murder a minor, if convicted. She was 'unable to explain her actions' when quizzed by officers. The girl has been placed in care with two siblings, aged 17 and six. The detained woman also has an adult daughter, 18.
