A man has been charged with murder after a young father was gunned down in front of his family during a suspected home invasion gone wrong.
Zachery "Zac" Davies-Scott, 25, was shot after several people forced their way into a property at Heddon Greta, east of Cessnock in the NSW Hunter region, on December 27.
The night-time attack happened in front of Mr Davies-Scott's family, including his pregnant partner and two young children.
Paramedics tried to save the 25-year-old, but he died at the scene.
Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said the family members were "extremely distressed and traumatised" by the killing.
Detectives on Tuesday arrested 25-year-old Talon Dean at Boomerang Beach, south of Forster on the NSW mid-north coast.
He was later charged with Mr Davies-Scott's murder and appeared in Taree Local Court, where he did not apply for bail.
Dean will remain in custody to appear at Maitland Local Court on January 10.
Detective Superintendent Doherty said there were mixed emotions among the victim's family after hearing news of the arrest.
"Zac was only 25 at the time," he said.
"His then-pregnant partner obviously witnessed this but has since given birth.
"You've got a four-year-old, a two-year-old and now a young baby boy who haven't got a father, so it's very emotional for them."
Det Supt Doherty said investigations were ongoing into the "joint criminal enterprise" that led to the home invasion.
A 52-year-old woman sustained minor injuries trying to fight off the attackers before they fled in a white SUV.
Two months later, police seized a white 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander from Newcastle.
Investigators previously released CCTV showing a man at a service station in Lambton in the hope of tracking down those responsible for the killing.
