Shots fired at Mitcham home, with police investigating drugs, bikies, link
DRUGS is the likely motive behind multiple shots fired at a Mitcham home early Thursday morning with police refusing to rule out possible links to bikies.
DRUGS is the likely motive behind multiple shots fired at a Mitcham home early Thursday morning with police refusing to rule out possible links to bikies, who they say have been involved in two other shootings in the last month.
Numerous shots — believed to have come from a handgun — were fired at the home on Torrens St in Mitcham just after 1am Thursday morning.
The occupants — a man and woman and their two adult sons — were home but were not injured in the attack.
The bullets were fired into the front of the house and hit a wall, window screen and door as well as two cars parked in the driveway.
Detective Superintendent Craig Patterson from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch said the victims were reluctant to tell police the “whole story”.
“Someone just doesn’t shoot up your house and the cars parked in your driveway for no reason,” Det. Supt. Patterson said.
“Clearly there is some kind of dispute and we need to get to the bottom of a cause or problem before innocent people get hurt.
“(But) I’m confident to say it’s more likely to be drug-related than OMCG- (outlaw motorcycle gang) related but we need to explore all possible links.”
A local resident awake at the time of the incident said he saw a black SUV drive down Hill St without lights just after the shooting.
Police have not yet established if the shots were fired from a moving vehicle or if the offender approached the property on foot.
Geoff Pearce said he heard about six shots fired but did not hear any cars.
“Half a dozen of rapid noises ... seems to be a semi-automatic weapon,” he said. “I thought it was firecrackers at first.”
The attack comes as police investigate an escalating conflict between members and associates of the Mongols and Hells Angels.
Last week an alleged drug dealer was rushed to hospital after being shot four times through the front door of his Gilles Plains home.
And on February 19 two armed men entered a St Clair properly firing off three shots, hitting one man in the leg, which resulted in minor injuries.
Both attacks involved motorcycle gang members or associates, Det. Supt. Patterson said.
Crimes Gang Task Force will continue to assist Sturt police with the investigation into the latest shooting.
Anyone who has any information to assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperssa.com.au.