Two major investigations into 62 minutes before Crystal Brook stabbing and fatal shooting

Two major investigations will examine the hour leading up to a frenzied stabbing attack at a Crystal Brook home that left two officers in hospital and a man dead.

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Vision from officers’ body-worn cameras will be at the centre of two major investigations as police attempt to piece together the hour of horror that led to a fatal shooting.

The video covers the period from when Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely arrived at the Symons St home, when Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd arrived after backup was called, and eventually their fatal interaction with Ferris at the rear of the premises.

Sgt Todd, 53 and Allely, 32, called on Sean Ferris at his home after a disturbance outside the town’s Foodland the day before about his dog, which escalated into an attack that put two officers into hospital and left Ferris – who had a history of hindering police and disobeying Covid directions – shot dead.

Sgt Allely arrived at the Symons St property at 10.15am on Wednesday morning. Sgt Todd arrived when backup was called some time after that. But exactly what transpired before ambulance officers being called an hour later, at 11.17am, remains unclear.

Asked what happened in the 62 minutes before paramedics’ arrival, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said he “understood” there were questions but it was too early to comment.

“They spent some time communicating with the occupant before a decision was made to take further steps,” Mr Stevens said.

“It seems to go pretty quickly when you look at it as an incident, and I can understand how people might ask what happened between the time (officers) arrived and when assistance was on site – but given it’s a small community 29km away from Port Pirie, I think it’s understandable that there are some delays.”

REPLAY THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Two separate major investigations have been launched into the incident, with Mr Stevens appointing a detective superintendent to head a commissioner’s inquiry into the stabbings alongside a coronial inquiry into the shooting.

He said Symons St had since reopened and detectives would be undergoing their investigation from Adelaide, but would not elaborate on whether Ferris’ history of mental health concerns was known to police, nor whether police were aware of any weapons on his property.

“That’s the purpose of both the coronial investigation and commissioner’s inquiry, to look at all of the circumstances relating to the incident and the people involved,” he said.

“I appreciate people’s desire to know exactly what happened, but there is a process we must follow to make sure that when we release that information, we are confident that it is factual and accurate.”

Sgt Allely had been discharged from hospital and was recovering with family while Sgt Todd was showing “positive” signs of progress following major surgery overnight to repair arterial damage, Mr Stevens said.

“The whole organisation is thinking of them (the injured police officers),” Mr Stevens said. “We’re there to support them in any way we possibly can.”

The police commissioner said he hoped the two officers would be able to eventually go back to duty.

“We would do whatever we can to make sure that they come out of this as best we can.”

Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd. Picture: Facebook

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens at Crystal Brook Police Station after the two police officers were stabbed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Sgt Todd’s family thank hero neighbour

Evangeline Polymeneas

The latest investigations come as Sgt Todd’s family thanked a hero neighbour who ran to help and all the emergency services that rushed to the scene.

Sgt Todd’s family said they particularly wanted to thank the member of the public who came to the scene and helped both officers.

“We are grateful for the courage that they displayed during such a confronting incident,” they said.

“We would also like to thank the staff at Crystal Brook Hospital, Royal Adelaide and MedStar for their care, compassion and treatment.

Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd, 53, and Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely, 32. Picture: Facebook

Sean Ferris stabbing two police officers at his Crystal Brook home before being shot dead. Picture: Facebook

David Wallace, friend of Sean Ferris, with Buddy the dog – who was believed to be at the centre of issues that led to police attending Ferris’ home. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We are also grateful to our local police community, the wider policing community, family, friends and other well wishers for all of the messages we have received. That overwhelming support has made a huge difference to our family at this difficult time.

“My family and I appreciate all of the many thoughts and well wishes we have received as we continue to focus on Ian’s recovery, and are grateful for the privacy shown to us at this difficult time.”

Mr Stevens also paid tribute to the hero neighbour who raced to the backyard to provide first aid to Sgt Todd – who is in the RAH in critical condition.

Locals left tributes for the pair at the police station, including a child who left a message “thanks for being cops”.

It is understood the officers were attending the Crystal Brook house over a domestic complaint about the occupant’s dog, a husky called Buddy, that had been ongoing.