Police lay charges after Constable Keith Anthony Smith was fatally shot at rural Tasmanian property

Police have charged a North-West Coast man with multiple charges, including murder, after an officer was fatally shot on Monday. THE LATEST

Memorial at Ulverstone Police Station for Constable Keith Anthony Smith, a 25-year veteran of the police service who was shot and killed at a rural property in North Motton. Picture: Elise Kaine

Charges have been laid three days after Constable Keith Anthony Smith was fatally shot in Tasmania’s North-West.

A 46-year-old man has been accused of murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault and recently appeared in a bedside court sitting, police said.

The suspect was understood to have been shot in the hand during the alleged altercation at a North Motton property and has been in the Launceston General Hospital receiving treatment since.

Tasmania Police at the scene of the shooting at a North Motton home. Picture: DPFEM

Police said the man was under guard in hospital where he remained with non-life-threatening injuries.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams thanked those involved in the ongoing investigation.

“I want to sincerely thank all those who have played a part in this investigation,” she said.

“Their diligent work in such difficult circumstances is to be commended.

“The support our members have shown for Constable Keith Smith’s family and loved ones, and each other, is testament to the strength of our blue family.

“I would also like to thank community members for the outpouring of support they have shown Keith’s family and friends, and Tasmania Police more broadly.”

Constable Keith Anthony Smith who died after being shot at a North Motton property. Picture: Tasmania Police

During the alleged fatal shooting, Constable Smith was accompanied by a second uniform officer, three Special Group Operations (SOG) officers and two civilians at the property.

Police have previously said Constable Smith arrived to execute a court-issued warrant to repossess a home on Allison Rd.

It’s alleged he was then shot by the accused before the uniform officer returned fire, injuring the suspect.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Adams said she feared the incident would’ve been worse without “dedicated” SOG officers present.

She clarified their deployment went beyond high-risk operations to also provide operational assistance to officers.

Tributes are flooding in to a dedicated online memorial page for fallen police officer Constable Keith Smith.

Tasmania Police created the page following a “significant outpouring of community support” after the tragic death on Monday.

Public memorials and message boards have also been set up at the Ulverstone and Launceston police stations which have already received a large number of floral tributes and messages, according to police.

Messages of support can be left here: police.tas.gov.au/constable-keith-anthony-smith/

It has also been confirmed that Constable Smith’s family has agreed for him to have a police funeral.

Originally published as Police lay charges after Constable Keith Anthony Smith was fatally shot at rural Tasmanian property