New South Wales Police have charged a 19-year-old man following an investigation into an alleged attempted shooting involving a father and his teenage daughter outside a school in Fairfield West, in Sydney’s south-west.

The original incident occurred at about 3 pm on 9 June 2026, when a 44-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter were sitting inside a utility vehicle near a school on Hamilton Road. Police were called after a person wearing black clothing and a balaclava allegedly approached the vehicle and pointed a handgun at them. The father and daughter managed to escape from the vehicle and run away. Neither was physically injured, although both were reportedly distressed by the incident.

Police initially investigated whether the gun had malfunctioned, preventing shots from being fired. The incident prompted heightened security at a nearby school while detectives worked to identify those responsible.

A specialist investigation, known as Strike Force Gelaro, was established to examine the alleged attack. Detectives from the strike force, assisted by officers from the Raptor Squad, continued inquiries over the following months. On Wednesday, 14 October, police arrested a 19-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Sans Souci, in Sydney’s south. At around the same time, officers executed a search warrant at a property in Cronulla, where they seized a knife, suspected illicit drugs and electronic devices.

Police allege the arrested man helped coordinate the attempted attack. Investigators are examining claims that preparations included surveillance of the intended victims and the use of a tracking device to monitor a vehicle. Police have described the incident as a targeted attack, but the allegations must be tested in court.

The man was charged with two counts of attempting to discharge a loaded firearm at a person with intent to murder. Additional charges include allegedly installing or using a tracking device without consent, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, and several alleged drug and weapons offences.

Police have not publicly established that the accused was the person who physically pointed the gun at the vehicle. The alleged role in coordinating the incident is distinct from the actions of the masked person at the scene. The case has renewed concerns about the use of young people in serious criminal activity and the danger of firearm incidents in public places. The alleged attack occurred near a school during the afternoon pick-up period, when students, parents and other members of the public could have been nearby.

The accused appeared in court on 15 October and was refused bail. He remains in custody while proceedings continue. Police say their investigation is ongoing as they work to establish the roles of everyone allegedly involved. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until the charges are proven in court.