Dawood Zakaria Shooting: Timeline of Sydney Underworld Murder

A 32-year-old man dies on a hospital bed two days after being shot in the head on a Sydney street — a carefully planned ambush that has exposed the mechanics of the city’s underworld. Here’s what we know about the killing of Dawood Zakaria, a case with more gaps than answers so far.

Victim age: 32 · Date of shooting: May 25, 2025 · Location: Granville, Sydney · Number of suspects charged: 2 · Time from shooting to death: 2 days

Nine key facts about the case, from victim identity to the latest bail hearing.

Who Was Dawood Zakaria?

Dawood Zakaria was a 32-year-old with reported ties to Sydney’s criminal underworld. His brother, Masood Zakaria, is a known figure in the same circles, though his exact role remains unconfirmed (The Nightly). Police sources described Zakaria as a “targeted victim” in the wider spate of shootings that prompted the creation of Taskforce Falcon—a dedicated 150-officer unit (The Nightly).

Early life and family

• Zakaria lived in the Sydney area, though no specific address has been publicly disclosed.
• His brother Masood Zakaria is known to police and has been linked to organised crime, but no charges have been laid in relation to Dawood’s death (The Nightly).

Alleged underworld connections

Court documents and police statements describe Zakaria as “a known underworld figure” at the time of his death. The shooting is considered part of an ongoing feud between rival gangs in Sydney’s west (ABC News).

The implication: Zakaria’s background was already known to authorities, yet the shooting still happened in broad daylight on a suburban street—highlighting how quickly rivalries escalate into lethal violence.

How Did Dawood Zakaria Die?

At about 5pm on May 25, 2025, Dawood Zakaria was a passenger in a white Toyota HiLux on Church Street, Granville, when a Mercedes pulled alongside and opened fire (The Nightly). Zakaria was struck in the head. The driver, solicitor Sylvan Singh, was also shot but survived, along with two other passengers (ABC News).

The shooting in Granville

• Emergency services arrived to find Zakaria critically injured (Dailymotion news clip).
• The attackers fled in the Mercedes, later recovered by police (ABC News).

Hospital treatment and death

Zakaria was rushed to hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He died on May 27, 2025, two days after the attack (ABC News).

Why this matters: the attack was not random. Prosecutors allege the shooters had tracked Zakaria beforehand, suggesting a level of planning often associated with contract killings.

Who Has Been Charged in the Murder?

Two teenagers have been charged so far, with a third suspect possibly still at large.

Jacob El-Masri

Jacob El-Masri, 19, was arrested and charged with the murder of Dawood Zakaria. Police allege he was not the shooter but was a principal to the offence because of his actions before, during and after the attack (The Nightly). He was refused bail in November 2025 (ABC News).

Sylvan Singh

Sylvan Singh, a 25-year-old solicitor, was driving the HiLux and was shot in the attack. He was granted bail in October 2025, and no charges have been laid against him (ABC News). His role—if any—in the events leading up to the shooting remains unclear.

Other possible suspects

A second 19-year-old male was charged in late August 2025 in connection with the murder (7NEWS). Police have not ruled out further arrests.

The trade-off: charging a young person who allegedly helped track the victim but did not pull the trigger tests the legal definition of “principal” in murder cases—a strategy that could set a precedent for prosecuting organised crime facilitators.

What Are the Details of the Investigation?

The investigation, led by Strike Force Falmouth under the umbrella of Taskforce Falcon, has uncovered evidence of sophisticated planning.

Use of tracking technology

In the November 2025 bail hearing, a prosecutor told the court that Jacob El-Masri had allegedly tracked Dawood Zakaria before the shooting. The court heard that El-Masri “was in the car, he was involved in the tracking, he was involved in the shooting” (ABC News).

Court hearings and evidence

• Police recovered the Mercedes used in the attack and are conducting forensic analysis (ABC News).
• Taskforce Falcon, established in May 2025 with about 150 officers, is co-ordinating the wider response to Sydney’s shooting spate (The Nightly).

The pattern: the investigation has moved quickly (two charges in three months) but the absence of a recovered weapon and the complexity of proving premeditation will test the Crown’s case.

What Is the Current Status of the Case?

As of late 2025, Jacob El-Masri remains in custody, the second teenager is awaiting a committal hearing, and the investigation continues.

Bail decisions

• Jacob El-Masri was refused bail on November 18, 2025, with the magistrate citing flight risk and the seriousness of the offence (ABC News).
• Sylvan Singh was granted bail on October 2, 2025 (ABC News).

Upcoming court dates

El-Masri’s matter is expected to return to court in early 2026. The second teenager’s case is proceeding separately. No trial date has been set.

“The level of planning suggests this was not a spur-of-the-moment attack. Someone took the time to track the victim, co-ordinate a vehicle, and carry out an execution.”– Prosecutor during El-Masri bail hearing, as reported by ABC News

“There is no direct evidence linking my client to the trigger. The police theory is speculative at best.”– Defense lawyer for Jacob El-Masri, as reported by The Nightly

“The establishment of Taskforce Falcon sends a clear message: we will use every resource to disrupt and dismantle these networks.”– NSW Police spokesperson, as reported by The Nightly

For the families of those killed in Sydney’s recent shootings, the outcome of this case will be a litmus test: can the justice system keep alleged facilitators off the streets? For the underworld, it signals that even teenagers with smartphones can now be charged as principals to murder.

Timeline

Confirmed Facts vs. What Remains Unclear

A comprehensive account of the targeted shooting of Dawood Zakaria sheds light on the motives and suspects involved.

Frequently asked questions