(SEE UPDATE at end of story)
A firearm incident sparked a wild day in the Derwent Valley, ending with several people in Police custody.
Just after mid-day Tasmania Police responded to several reports of a firearm being discharged toward a property in Benjamin Terrace at New Norfolk.
“We were able to quickly determine that thankfully, no one was injured as a result of that discharge and that everyone was okay, said Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby of Glenorchy CIB. He said police quickly took control of the scene, and that extra police units including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were despatched to the area seeking to locate a silver Subaru Impreza with a black bonnet.
DI Troy Morrisby.
“Thanks to some really good well coordinated work by the officers present at that time, we were able to search a house – based on some information that was received – at Back River Road Magra and a 31 year-old male was taken into custody about 90 minutes after the event. That male has since been taken to Hobart police station. They are currently being held pending investigations and likely be interviewed later this evening.”
DI Morrisby said early indications are that there was only a single occupant in the vehicle and the firearm was discharged from the person whilst they were still with the vehicle. He understood that there were two occupants of the targeted house at the time.
At the time of writing, Police were still still undertaking inquiries into locating a firearm and any other evidence in relation to the man arrested.
A second incident, believed related, blew up later in the afternoon. Police were called back to the Magra property to attend what they described as a ‘disturbance’.
Several people involved in the disturbance were taken into custody, while one civilian and one police officer received minor lacerations to the hand.
A vehicle at the property was reportedly set on fire as revenge for the earlier shooting.
“Whilst we always have concerns where firearms are used in any sort of crime in the public, we’d like to reassure the public that this wasn’t a random attack; this was very much a targeted attack between two known people,” explained DI Morrisby. “I’d hope that our response to this, and the seriousness with which we responded and the assets and resources we’ve thrown at it would reassure the public the serious way we take these matters.”
He said that in Tasmania generally, firearms incidents are not common events.
Stock photo of a silver Subaru Impreza WRX.
“So the person has been arrested, they are being held for investigation into the allegations surrounding the matter, but I would be confident that sometime later this evening that we will be proceeding with charges against the person who’s currently in custody and we’ll update accordingly.”
He said if anyone saw the silver Subaru Impreza with black bonnet driving suspiciously between midday and 12:30pm Tuesday afternoon, they are encouraged to contact Tasmanian Police on 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Wednesday update
A Police statement said that four people have been charged in connection to the New Norfolk and Magra incidents yesterday.
In relation to the initial firearm discharge at Benjamin Terrace, New Norfolk:
1. 31-year-old man charged with:
a. 2 counts of aggravated assault
b. common assault
c. recklessly discharging a firearm
d. 2 counts of breaching an interim family violence order
e. 2 counts of breach of bail
f. firearm possession offences.
In relation to the disturbance at Back River Road, Magra:
2. 39-year-old man charged with:
a. aggravated burglary
b. common assault
c. destroy property.
3. 31-year-old man charged with:
a. 3 counts of common assault
b. driving offences.
4. 30-year-old woman charged with:
a. 2 counts of wounding.
All four people were detained to appear before the court today.
