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Mr Versace was ambushed and shot multiple times at the home where he lived with his parents and two sisters about 10.30pm on May 19 this year. Officers found the 23-year-old unresponsive outside his family home, but he could not be revived and died at the scene. Following an extensive investigation, Homicide Squad detectives arrested a 43-year-old man at Casula and a 19-year-old man at Bankstown on Tuesday. Both men were taken to Bankstown Police Station where they were charged with murder. Police allege the men drove and moved the vehicles that were used in Mr Versace’s murder. Both men were denied bail and were due to appear in Liverpool Court on Wednesday. Chilling CCTV footage released days after Mr Versace’s death showed a figure dressed in black exit a silver Toyota SUV and approach the tradesman who was getting out of his ute. A man can be heard yelling “Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey … stop, stop”, before numerous gunshots rang out on the quiet suburban street. Police believe Mr Versace was hit at least four times. The gunman returns to the silver Toyota, which quickly flees the scene. Mr Versace’s devastated family could be heard screaming and wailing as police established a crime scene. A short time later, police were called to Blackford St in Fairfield East after reports a car “very similar” to the one used in the attack had been torched. The car was “well alight” by the time emergency crews arrived. The flames were soon extinguished, but police were able to locate a small “Glock-style” gun in the vehicle. Police believe Mr Versace was a plumber who worked for his father’s business. They do not believe he had links to organised crime despite the nature of the attack. They were investigating whether the tragedy was a case of mistaken identity. Police will address the media on Wednesday afternoon as investigations under Strike Force Harkstede continue.
