Detectives investigating an assault in Sydney's west have upgraded the charge laid against a man after the victim died in hospital earlier this week.
About 9pm last Friday (14 February 2020), Ross Houllis, aged 28, attended a shopping centre on Bulls Road, Wakeley, to meet a potential buyer for items he'd advertised online.
Mr Houllis was approached by two men in the car park, who demanded cash before allegedly assaulting him and dragged him through the car park.
The men allegedly knocked Mr Houllis to the ground and seriously assaulted him before fleeing the area in a Toyota Hilux.
Witnesses contacted emergency services, who attended a short time later, with NSW Ambulance paramedics taking him to hospital in a critical condition.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, Mr Houllis died on Monday (17 February 2020).
Inquiries were commenced by officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command, who established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
As part of inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant with the assistance of the Tactical Operation Unit at a unit on Marion Street, Bankstown, on Saturday (15 February 2020), where they seized a Toyota Hilux.
Later that afternoon, a 27-year-old man attended Bankstown Police Station, where he was arrested and charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent.
He appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday (16 February 2020) and was formally refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 20 February 2020), where those charges will be upgraded to murder.
Detectives from Fairfield City Police Area Command are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Houllis' murder under Strike Force Antas.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Antas investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
