NSW: Bomb may have been intended for son

00-00-0000
NSW: Bomb may have been intended for son

By Janine O'Neill

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - A bomb explosion which sent shrapnel flying into a western Sydneyhome may have been intended to target the residents' son, police said today.

The device was detonated on the lawn about two metres from the front door of a homein Bonnyrigg, shortly before midnight.

Police said the three family members at home in the Diamond Crescent residence werenot injured in the blast.

However, the explosion shattered a window and left dozens of shrapnel holes in theeaves, walls, guttering and tiled roof as well as damaging the garage.

A car parked in the driveway was damaged, whilst a 65cm wide and 35cm deep crater nowscarred the front lawn.

Police said they had ruled out race and religion as a motive for the attack on thehome of the family of Middle Eastern background.

One police spokesman said there was no indication at this stage that the family membersat the house were intended targets.

"There's no apparent motive against any of the occupants who were actually living atthe residence," a spokesman said.

"Police are hoping to speak to the older son to see if he can assist us as to any possiblemotive for what happened last night.

"We can't rule out that the son wasn't the target."

The 63-year-old man, his 48-year-old wife and their 23-year-old daughter were awokenby the large blast which shattered a window covered by security shutters.

The family told police they initially believed their home may have been targeted bya drive-by-shooter.

The son, who has not lived at the residence for some time, is not a suspect, police said.

Detectives were yet to locate him.

They said there was some indication he may have had a past association with peoplewho are known to police.

A canvas of the explosion site today had not turned up any residue of the device.

It is understood homicide detectives investigating a separate matter were advised ofthe explosion.

Anyone with a information about the explosion or who witnessed a car speeding fromthe scene has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP jo/nf/ph/de l

KEYWORD: EXPLOSION NIGHTLEAD