Zachary John Gartside to be sentenced for role in northern suburbs brawl and shootout
A witness to a shootout between speeding cars has told a court it was the most “terrifying” experience of her life and something out of a Hollywood horror movie.
North & North East
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A witness to a wild car chase and shootout between warring groups said the “terrifying” experience was like something out of a Hollywood horror movie.
Zachary John Gartside, 26, ended up firing two shots at the other car in an act of retribution, which his lawyer said was an attempt to end the feud.
Police were called to Ronald Kirkbright’s Elizabeth Vale house on January 21, last year after a violent brawl kicked off between two groups.
The car chase and daylight shootout on heavily populated Main North Rd then ensued.
A husband-and-wife who witnessed said they were heading home when they saw an “almost out of control” silver car speed past them.
In her victim impact statement read to the District Court, the woman said both cars were driving like there was no-one else in existence on the road.
“This was the most frightening, terrifying event I have ever witnessed or seen in my entire life,” she said.
“It was completely reckless and dangerous.”
The woman said her husband then yelled there was a gun.
“I was in fear that they would shoot us for being too close or seeing what they were doing,” she said.
“I thought it was like something out of a Hollywood horror movie, not something that was supposed to happen in South Australia.”
Timothy Clarke, for Gartside, told the court the victim impact statement was prepared in relation to Gartside’s co-accused, Christopher Ikin as his client was not charged with driving offences.
Ikin, of St Agnes, pleaded guilty to property damage, affray, and driving dangerously, which he was sentenced to 10 months jail for in December.
The court heard once the car chase ended at Smithfield, Gartside got out of the passenger side of the silver BMW and discharged a sawn-off shotgun twice in the direction of the car driven by Mr Kirkbright.
“They occur against a context of this persistent chase by Kirkbright … where they’re shooting at him,” Mr Clarke said.
“My client takes possession of the firearm to bring to a conclusion this scary incident.”
Gartside, of Hillbank, pleaded guilty to affray and possessing and discharging a firearm.
Mr Kirkbright, of Elizabeth Vale, pleaded not guilty to property damage, discharging a firearm and driving dangerously.
Mr Clarke said Gartside admitted to police during an interview he fired the shots, which showed his remorse.
A prosecutor told the court an innocent person could have been seriously injured or killed in Gartside’s act or retribution.
Judge Jo-Anne Deuter will sentence Gartside in June.
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