A family home was targeted in a drive-by shooting in Western Sydney in a case of mistaken identity, police have revealed.
The family members were all asleep inside when the Myall St, Merrylands home was shot up about 10pm on Tuesday.
No one was injured.
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About 10 minutes later, police found a white Hyundai hatchback well alight in Bennett St, Bass Hill.
Detectives are investigating if the two incidents are linked and whether the intended target was connected to organised crime.
“I believe it was a case of mistaken identity,” acting Superintendent Darren Beeche said.
“The people in the house that was hit I believe have nothing to do with crime, gangs or drugs.”
Beeche slammed the shooting as a “cowardly” act that disrupted the lives of an innocent family.
“I think it’s disgraceful,” he said.
“It should not be tolerated.
“These people have bad intelligence … and it’s usually an act by a coward in the middle of the night.
“Unfortunately, they often get the wrong place.”
Neighbours reported hearing several shots ring out in the usually quiet area.
“I thought, ‘That’s not fireworks’,” one person told 7NEWS.
One local said she was in shock, adding the neighbours were “very friendly”.
“We’ve never had any problems,” she said.
“I’ve been here for nearly 40 years and it’s been a wonderful neighbourhood.”
“It’s very scary,” another man added.
Detectives and forensic police spent Tuesday night scouring the two crime scenes and going door-to-door in the area.
Beeche said any connection to another drive-by shooting in Blacktown on Saturday would form an “obvious line of inquiry”.
In that case, several shots were fired just after 9pm into a family home — with the residents inside — in what police believe was another case of mistaken identity.
Investigations into both shootings continue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.