A third person has been charged with murdering a young man who was shot in front of his family during a suspected home invasion gone wrong.
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Zachery Davies-Scott, 25, was killed after several people forced their way into his parents' house at Heddon Greta, east of Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region, on the night of December 27, 2022.
Paramedics tried to save Mr Davies-Scott, but he died at the scene.
His pregnant partner witnessed the deadly attack.
A 52-year-old woman also sustained minor injuries attempting to fight off the attackers before the group fled in a white SUV.
Police set up a strike force to investigate the incident and detectives arrested Gino Ricardo Delpiero at Elermore Vale - in suburban Newcastle - early on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old was taken to a police station and charged with murder.
A search warrant was also executed at a home in Elermore Vale.
Delpiero appeared in Newcastle Local Court later on Tuesday, when he was refused bail to reappear at the same court in March.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Walpole said police believed the man was one of the "cowardly thugs" who forced their way into the house and were involved in Mr Davies-Scott's killing.
"It was a particularly violent crime," he said.
"He was executed in front of his pregnant partner, in front of his parents (and) his grandparents were also sleeping in the house."
Two men are already before the courts after being charged with murder, while a 25-year-old woman was arrested on January 5 and charged with hindering the investigation.
She is due to appear in court later in January.
In November, 25-year-old Talon Dean was charged with murdering Mr Davies-Scott after being arrested at Boomerang Beach on the NSW mid-north coast.
Days later, 24-year-old Jarryd Nickerson was arrested in Cessnock and also charged with murder.
Det Insp Walpole said the investigation continues and police had "further matters to address".
Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty previously said the victim's family members were "extremely distressed and traumatised" by the killing.
Australian Associated Press
