New South Wales Police have charged four teenagers over the drive-by shooting of former NRL player Matt Utai and alleged arson attacks targeting his family in Sydney.
Utai was shot in the leg and shoulder during a drive-by shooting in the Sydney suburb of Greenacre on Tuesday. He is in serious condition after surgery.
Police say the shots were fired from a white SUV, which was later found burnt out in nearby Wiley Park.
A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man have been charged as accessories after the fact to shooting with intent to murder. An 18-year-old and another 19-year-old were charged over damaging property by fire, and one of them was also charged with supplying prohibited drugs.
Further shootings and car fires were reported in St Clair, Colyton, and Guildford West. Police believe all the attacks were aimed at the same family.
Officers carried out six search warrants, seized three vehicles, 1kg of cocaine and knuckle dusters, and arrested four people.
Utai, 44, previously played for the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers, and represented New Zealand and Samoain rugby league.
Police say Utai is not suspected of any wrongdoing.
