Two teenagers have been charged with murder after a man was fatally attacked with machetes in western Sydney, in what police say is likely a case of mistaken identity.

Luke Manassa died after being ambushed in the driveway of a home in Driftway Drive, Pemulwuy, last Thursday.

The 21-year-old and his girlfriend had just arrived at the property about 10.45pm when they were apparently set upon by two people armed with machetes and wearing disguises and dark clothing.

“The man managed to get back into his car and drive a short distance before being overcome by his injuries,” NSW Police said on Friday.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man; however, he could not be revived and died at the scene.”

On Friday, NSW Police said two boys, aged 16 and 17, with extensive criminal histories and links to Sydney street gangs had been charged with Manassa’s murder. One of the teenagers was on bail for violent offences.

It came after police executed simultaneous search warrants in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft on Thursday.

“During the search warrant in Woodcroft, police seized what they will allege was used as the getaway car from a separate residence,” they said.

They said the teenagers were contracted to kill someone, but Manassa was not the target. Just who was remains under investigation.

“It was very, very amateurish,” Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said.

He said Manassa’s family was “absolutely devastated”.

“They [Luke’s family] want everyone to know Luke was an innocent party; he was an innocent victim,” he said.

“Investigations today have not identified a clear motive as to why someone would want to murder Luke; he is not known to the NSW Police force.

“It perhaps [was] the wrong target … More than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it’s still early days before we can absolutely confirm that.”

Police said Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy house, but was an occasional visitor.

“The occupants of that location are known to Luke and are also known to NSW Police,” Doueihi said.

Manassa was a university student and also worked in his family’s construction business. Family friend Jason Morrison said his death was a “tragedy”.

“It is beyond anyone’s comprehension … There is no reason for anybody to have targeted Luke,” he told the ABC.

“This is a very decent kid. We shouldn’t be here talking at all about crimes like this.”

Morrison said Manassa was a well-loved figure in Sydney’s Lebanese Christian community. His grieving family has set up a shrine to him in their home.

“This is inexplicable to us, to the family and to a very big community,” Morrison said.

The teenagers appeared in Sydney children’s courts on Friday. Neither applied for bail.

They are the latest in a string of young people allegedly caught up in Sydney’s organised crime wave.

On Wednesday, two 15-year-old boys were charged over two shootings in Sydney’s south-west in June, one of which also involved a potential case of mistaken identity.

“The problem is that these young children don’t understand the consequences of their actions,” Doueihi said.

“They could end up dead themselves, or they could be victims of some form of retaliation by the people that they tried to target.”

The killing of plumber John Versace at Condell Park in May was another high-profile case of suspected mistaken identity.

-with AAP