Two men have been charged with the murder of Kim Duncan, a 65-year-old grandmother killed in a drive-by shooting at her Ambarvale home in Sydney’s south-west.
The incident, which occurred on 14 April, is believed to have stemmed from a dispute involving another resident of the Dickens Road property, with police stating Ms Duncan was not the intended target.
Jesse Evans, 34, and Manase Fakahau, 19, faced Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday, where they were denied bail. They are scheduled to reappear in court in September.
A third suspect allegedly involved in the shooting remains at large, with police continuing their search.
According to NSW Police Superintendent Grant Healey, up to nine shots were fired from a black sedan into the home around 11pm. Ms Duncan was struck in the leg while in the front lounge room and, despite paramedics’ efforts for nearly an hour, she died at the scene.
A 21-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man inside the home were unharmed.
CCTV footage released in May captured three men exiting a sedan and firing at the house. Police believe the shooting was a “cowardly response” to a grudge or argument with someone living at the address, where the occupants had resided for six to eight weeks and were known to authorities.
“While they’re trying to teach somebody a lesson, they’ve killed some little kid’s grandmother,” Supt Healey said.
A neighbour, Shaun, told 9News that Ms Duncan’s 34-year-old son, Shaine, witnessed the shooting as he approached the house from a friend’s place nearby. “He saw the people there shooting the house,” Shaun recounted.
“As we came outside, we just heard the son yelling, ‘My mum’s been shot.’ He was pretty upset, devastated.” Ms Duncan’s daughter arrived later, also deeply distraught.
Supt Healey noted that Ms Duncan’s family welcomed the arrests but remained angry over her death. “At the time of the shooting, police made a promise to the family that we’d do our best to find the people responsible,” he said.
“Today’s two arrests go a long way to fulfilling that promise.”
The investigation continues as police work to locate the third suspect.
