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11-year-old boy in critical condition following apartment shooting in Norwest, teen charged with concealing offence
An 11-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being shot in the face and neck inside a luxury apartment complex in Norwest, Sydney, on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at the Moda apartment complex on Fairway Drive, where the child was found conscious but speaking with paramedics before his condition deteriorated during transport to Westmead Children's Hospital. Police have charged an 18-year-old man with concealing a serious indictable offence following the shooting, which took place while the boy was in the apartment with four other individuals - three 18-year-old men and a 44-year-old woman. None of the other occupants were injured during the incident. Three of the 18-year-old men were arrested, with two released pending further inquiries and the third charged. The charged individual was refused police bail and is due to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday. Police have established a large exclusion zone around Fairway Drive to search for the firearm used in the shooting, which has not yet been located. The Moda complex, comprising 217 properties, is described by developers as offering a 'luxury lifestyle' with amenities including an indoor swimming pool, gym, and rooftop terrace. The boy's mother is reportedly with him in hospital, described as 'as stressed as any parent would be' by Hills Police Area Commander Naomi Moore. Police have stated they do not believe the incident is linked to organised crime and are treating it as a standalone event. The investigation continues into how the gun entered the apartment, whether the shooting was accidental, and who fired the weapon. Tactical officers and a police helicopter were deployed to the scene, with officers combing the property and adjacent park for the firearm. The incident has been described by police as one of the most 'awful scenes' encountered by officers in recent days, with Commander Moore stating it was 'among the worst that I've seen' in her experience. The apartment complex is located near Castle Hill Country Club and two blocks from Norwest station, with residents observed standing on balconies watching the police operation unfold.