Two men critical after western Sydney home invasion; child shot in separate attack
Synopsis
Two unrelated acts of violence hit Sydney homes within 24 hours: a brazen morning home invasion in Lalor Park left two men hospitalised with head injuries, while an 11-year-old boy was shot in the face and neck at a Norwest residence. Police have made one charge and ruled out an organised crime link in the shooting.
Key Takeaways
A home invasion in Lalor Park , western Sydney, on 22 September left a 64-year-old and a 44-year-old hospitalised in serious condition with head injuries.
In a separate incident, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the face and neck at a residence in Norwest , northwest Sydney, on 21 September .
The child was hospitalised in a critical condition and underwent life-saving treatment, according to Superintendent Naomi Moore .
Three 18-year-olds were arrested over the shooting; one was charged with concealing a serious offence, two were released pending further inquiries.
Police said the Norwest shooting is not believed to be linked to organised crime and are still searching for the firearm.
No arrests have been made in the Lalor Park home invasion as of the latest reports.
Two men were hospitalised in serious condition after a home invasion in Lalor Park, western Sydney, on the morning of Tuesday, 22 September, as New South Wales police launched investigations into two unrelated acts of violence that struck Sydney homes within 24 hours of each other.
The Lalor Park Home Invasion
Emergency services were called to a residence in Lalor Park, approximately 28 km west of central Sydney, at around 7:30 am local time on Tuesday. According to a police statement, responding officers were informed that two unidentified men had forced their way into the home, assaulted two residents, and fled the scene before police arrived.
The victims — a 64-year-old man and a 44-year-old man — were treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene. Both were subsequently transported to hospital in a serious condition. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that both men sustained injuries to their heads. Police established a crime scene and commenced a formal investigation.
Child Shot in Norwest in Separate Incident
In a separate and unrelated incident, an 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to his face and neck at a residence in Norwest, an outer northwest Sydney suburb, at approximately 5 pm on Monday, 21 September.
New South Wales Police said officers were called to the property and arrived to find the child injured. He was stabilised by paramedics before being transferred to hospital, where he underwent life-saving treatment.
Three 18-year-old males — among five people present at the home at the time — were arrested in connection with the incident. Two were subsequently released pending further inquiries, while a third was charged with concealing a serious offence.
What Police Said
Superintendent Naomi Moore addressed reporters on Monday night, confirming the child had received life-saving treatment. She stated that investigators were actively searching for the firearm involved and emphasised that the shooting was not believed to be linked to organised crime.
Investigation Under Way
Both matters remain under active police investigation. The identity of the alleged home invaders in Lalor Park has not been established, and no arrests have been reported in that case. The circumstances surrounding how the Norwest child came to be shot also remain under inquiry. Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
Point of View
The other a shooting involving a child — raise pointed questions about domestic security in New South Wales. The Norwest shooting is particularly troubling: an 11-year-old with a gunshot wound to the face, five adults present, and only a charge of concealing an offence to show for it so far. The fact that police have publicly ruled out organised crime does not explain what led to a firearm being discharged near a child, nor does it address why the weapon remains unrecovered. Authorities will face pressure to provide a fuller account.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Lalor Park home invasion in Sydney?
Two unidentified men broke into a home in Lalor Park, approximately 28 km west of central Sydney, at around 7:30 am on 22 September and assaulted two residents before fleeing. A 64-year-old and a 44-year-old were taken to hospital in serious condition, both reportedly with head injuries. Police have established a crime scene and are investigating.
Who was shot in northwest Sydney and what is their condition?
An 11-year-old boy was shot in the face and neck at a residence in Norwest, an outer northwest Sydney suburb, at approximately 5 pm on 21 September. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and underwent life-saving treatment, according to Superintendent Naomi Moore.
Were any arrests made in connection with the Sydney shooting?
Three 18-year-old males present at the Norwest home were arrested. Two were later released pending further inquiries, and one was charged with concealing a serious offence. No arrests have been reported in the separate Lalor Park home invasion.
Is the Norwest shooting linked to organised crime?
No. Superintendent Naomi Moore stated on Monday night that police do not believe the shooting is connected to organised crime. Investigators are still searching for the firearm involved.
Are the two Sydney incidents — the home invasion and the shooting — related?
No. New South Wales Police have indicated that the Lalor Park home invasion and the Norwest shooting are separate, unrelated incidents, occurring in different parts of Sydney roughly 12 hours apart.
