The alleged ringleader of a brazen drive-by murder outside a family home days after Christmas has been arrested and charged.
David Khou was shot dead outside his home in Canley Heights in southwest Sydney at 6.50pm on December 29, 2024.
He died at the scene, despite efforts from neighbours and paramedics to save him.
The gunman fled the scene on St Johns Road in a white Audi, found in flames on Bathurst St at Wakeley not long after.
While two people are before the courts on lesser charges, homicide detectives this week pounced on a 30-year-old man who allegedly pulled the strings.
Maykel Safar was arrested at a home in Fairfield West on Wednesday and charged with Mr Khou's murder and the firebombing of the alleged getaway car.
He was also charged with directing a criminal group and failing to provide digital evidence.
Safar was represented in Fairfield Local Court on Thursday when his case was adjourned until Wednesday for a bail hearing before a Parramatta magistrate.
He was not required to enter pleas this stage.
Mr Khou was leaving his family home when he was shot multiple times getting into a car.
Two other men have already been arrested on lesser charges relating to the death.
One of those was Romeo Shoker, arrested two days after Mr Khou's death and charged with being an accessory after the fact to a murder.
Police allege Shoker drove getaway vehicles used in the shooting.
They also allege Mr Khou had links to organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit drug market.
Then-homicide squad commander Danny Doherty in late 2024 said the motive for the murder likely came down to "drugs and greed".
But the detective superintendent said no one deserved to be shot multiple times outside their own home.
