Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 16, have been charged with murder over the mistaken identity shooting of a university student while he was in his bed.

Marco Tapia, 23, was killed at his Glen Alpine home, in Sydney’s south-west, early on September 1.

NSW Police said they have since confirmed the “wrong house” was targeted.

On Wednesday, Strike Force Gareno detectives executed two search warrants at homes in Fairfield and arrested the two boys, taking them to Cabramatta Police Station.

Marco Tapia was killed in his bed. Photo: LinkedIn

“Both boys were charged with murder, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm and two counts of drive conveyance taken without consent of owner,” police said.

“The 14-year-old boy received an additional charge of damage property by fire/explosion.”

Detectives will allege in court the teens staged vehicles and provided a weapon for the gunman.

Both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Thursday.

Tapia was a biomedical engineering student at the University of Technology Sydney and a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders UTS, according to LinkedIn.

He had no criminal history and had experience volunteering in youth programs, including with his local Hillsong church.

Police are exploring whether the fatal home invasion in Glen Alpine, near Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west, early on Tuesday morning was another case of gangland mistaken identity.

Authorities believe multiple attackers entered the family home at about 3.40am on Tuesday and shot the victim dead before fleeing the scene.

Emergency services found Tapia with a gunshot wound — reportedly in the neck — and could not save him.

Police said the man’s family was in the home at the time of the attack.

Investigations under Strike Force Gareno continue.