NSW detectives have made a breakthrough in the death of a young boy who was allegedly shot in the face and neck at a home in Sydney last month.

The boy, whose age has been corrected to 12, died in hospital while fighting for life after the shooting in an apartment in Norwest.

Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Janilo detectives arrested a 19-year-old man on Tuesday at a correctional facility in Silverwater.

He was charged with murder and was remanded in custody to appear at Bail Division Local Court 6 on Wednesday.

The alleged shooting happened on Monday 21 September around 5pm.

Police were called to a unit on Fairway Drive, Norwest, after reports of a shooting.

Officers found a 12-year-old boy had sustained a gunshot wound to his face and neck.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The boy died three days later on Thursday 24 September.

Nine other people who were in the home at the time of the incident were not injured.

Three men – all aged 18 – were arrested. Two were taken to The Hills Police Station and later released pending further inquiries.

The third man was taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with conceal serious indictable offence and currently remains before the courts.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the boy’s father was a known convicted drug dealer who had only six months ago become reacquainted with his son after splitting with the boy’s mother several years ago.

He had organised a vigil outside the hospital to pray for his son’s survival, telling The Telegraph: “I’m praying to Jesus for a miracle,” and describing the shooting as “an accident” and “a tragedy”.

The boy’s age was originally reported as 11. NSW Police corrected it on Wednesday to 12.