Joshua George ... shot dead after a fight at a party. Photo: Facebook
A man wanted over the shooting death of his former friend in Sydney’s south-west has been arrested and charged with murder after police officers recognised him at a railway station.
Police had been hunting for Graeme Smith, 21, since Sunday afternoon when Joshua George, 24, was killed in a brazen daylight shooting in Claymore. The shooting is believed to have been sparked by an argument at a party the night before.
In the days after the shooting, detectives released images of Smith, who has a distinctive tattoo on his neck.
Charged ... Graeme Smith. Photo: NSW Police Media Unit
Police patrolling outside Blacktown Railway Station on Thursday night became suspicious when they saw a man wearing a scarf about 7.15pm.
They called for back-up before stopping the man and removing the scarf, which confirmed to officers who the person was, a police spokesman said.
The officers drew a gun and a Taser during the arrest, but Inspector Stephen Oswald from Blacktown Local Area Command said the weapons were not used.
"The police utilised a number of tactical options but he came along willingly once there was some assistance there from local and Transport Command Police," he said.
Smith was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with one count of murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Friday.
A woman who was with Smith at the time of his arrest was taken into custody after allegedly abusing police and resisting arrest.
Police allege Mr George had arranged to meet the man who shot him in Claymore on Sunday afternoon to sort out a fight sparked the previous night.
A single shot was fired into Mr George’s chest before he had the chance to discuss the matter.
Two bystanders performed CPR on Mr George but he was pronounced dead at Campbelltown Hospital.
A male and female friend had attended the meeting with Mr George as ’’moral support’’ and were heard by witnesses screaming in horror as their friend was shot dead in broad daylight on Gidley Crescent.
Friends of Mr George described him as a devoted father to his young daughter, Madison, and a big hearted man who was well known around Campbelltown.
With AAP
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