Massimo Chesini, 19, asked for another male at grandpa’s house before shooting him twice

Teen shooter Massimo Chesini asked for another male at grandfather Pietro’s home before critically injuring him, it can now be revealed.

Teen gunman who stormed into his grandfather’s house asked if another man was at the home moments before shooting his elderly relative.

Massimo Chesini, 19, shot his grandfather Pietro Chesini, 81, twice in the arm and leg on Liascos Ave, Newton, on Tuesday. Massimo later took his own life on the banks of the River Torrens.

Massimo approached Mr Chesini’s home at about 4pm with what The Advertiser understands was a shotgun. He asked for another person, understood to be another male, before shooting his grandfather.

Mr Chesini was last night still being treated in Royal Adelaide Hospital, where his condition has been downgraded from critical to stable.

Yesterday, flowers were left on Gorge Rd near where Massimo took his own life.

His friends expressed their own shock on social media.

“I have no words, a huge tragedy for the family I’ve known for many years,” one person wrote.

Flowers at the scene of where the body of Massimo Chesini was found near the old Gorge Weir Aqueduct on Gorge Road, Athelstone on Thursday 17th February 2022 – Picture: Michael Marschall

The scene of where the body of Massimo Chesini was found near the old Gorge Weir Aqueduct on Gorge Road, Athelstone on Thursday 17th February 2022 – Picture: Michael Marschall

“May he (Massimo) rest in peace because it’s a terrible tragedy for the family that is well known in the community,” another said.

Mr Chesini owned Chesini House, a business he built from scratch after he and his wife Rita migrated to Adelaide in 1978 with their young family.

The family was originally from Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, a small town on the outskirts of Verona, Italy, the business website says.

John and Luca Chesini, the two youngest sons of Pietro and Rita, now handle the day-to-day operation of the company, which makes stone benchtops.

Campbelltown Mayor Jill Whittaker said the tight-knit community was shocked by the incident.

“On behalf of Campbelltown Council, I offer our deepest condolences to the families of everyone involved,” she said.

“The council is available to support the families and the neighbouring residents in any way we can as they come to terms with the tragic events of Tuesday.”

Ms Whittaker said the council would also write to “nearby residents” to connect them with support services.

Massimo Chesini who shot his grandfather Pietro Chesini on Tuesday. Picture: 7NEWS

Pietro Chesini.

After the shooting, Massimo immediately fled the scene in a vehicle as police and paramedics swarmed on two neighbouring properties owned by the Chesini family.

It triggered a manhunt in the area, before police found Massimo’s car abandoned near the River Torrens Gorge Weir, about 6km from the shooting, at 7.20pm. There are no suspicious circumstances in Massimo’s death and police are preparing a report for the Coroner.

Meanwhile, SA Police has launched an internal investigation after an officer was injured when a police firearm was discharged at Liascos Ave on Tuesday.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said a member of the public “squabbled” with police as they approached Mr Chesini’s house. Wayne Hammet, 53, was charged with hindering police. He was released on police bail.