Boy, 13, who was on bail allegedly kills Sydney dad who was walking home from work: ‘In my 30-year career of policing I find this absolutely senseless’

By CHARLOTTE KARP, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER 03:55 12 Oct 2026, updated 04:15 12 Oct 2026

A Sydney father-of-three was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers while trying to help younger family friends get home, with a 13-year-old boy now charged with his murder revealed to have already been on bail.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, allegedly stabbed 36-year-old father of three Joshua Smith twice near Mount Druitt train station just before 9pm on Friday.

Police allege Mr Smith, who has been remembered as a ‘hardworking dad’ in a community fundraiser, recognised a group of young people and stopped to ask how they planned to get home.

Mr Smith was about to withdraw cash from an ATM to help the group pay for their journey home when he was allegedly attacked by another group, leaving him with two fatal stab wounds.

Mount Druitt Police Area Commander Darrin Batchelor said: ‘Another group of young people took offence to the conversation that male was having with those groups of people.

‘As a result of that, we now stand here today with that 36-year-old male now [allegedly] murdered.’

‘He was doing a good deed. He went to an ATM to withdraw money so these young people could get home safely.

‘His family is obviously distraught, as you’d expect. A family has lost a father, a son, a brother, and now they will have to live a future without their father, these children,’ he said.’

The confrontation near Westfield Mount Druitt spilled onto Cleeve Close around 9pm, where the alleged fatal attack unfolded.

Commander Batchelor said: ‘In my 30-year career of policing I find this absolutely senseless.’

CCTV footage was used to identify the alleged killer, who was arrested on Sunday when he arrived at Mount Druitt Police Station to report for bail over a separate alleged offence.

Police allege he was in breach of his bail conditions when he allegedly killed the 36-year-old.

The boy was charged with murder, breach of bail and robbery over an unrelated incident.

A 16-year-old was also arrested at 8pm on Sunday and charged with being an accessory to murder after officers allegedly found the murder weapon in a drain outside his Cabramatta apartment.

Both teenagers spent Sunday night in custody before appearing in a children’s court on Monday.

Two other youths who were allegedly present during the attack are expected to be charged.

Commander Batchelor said: ‘We will say that they were allegedly involved in assault of the alleged victim on Friday night, so those two individuals, who we know, we suggest they hand themselves in as soon as possible.

Twelve other young people witnessed the alleged attack.

On Monday, loved ones set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Mr Smith’s son and two daughters.

‘Joshua Smith was a hardworking dad whose life was suddenly and tragically taken,’ the fundraiser read.

‘He leaves behind three beautiful children who have lost their dad far too soon … No child should ever have to grow up without their father.’

Mr Smith was remembered as a ‘character’ who ‘made people smile, laugh and most of all lived for his children’.

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