Neighbour tells of frantic efforts to save shooting victims as accused gunman’s ID is suppressed

A heroic neighbour has told of the moment he rushed to help a mother and daughter allegedly shot in their driveway – while the man accused of the crime had his identity suppressed in court.

The man accused of shooting two women at Campbelltown was taken into custody on Saturday. Picture: 7NEWS

• What we know about the horror siege

A heroic neighbour has detailed the moment he put his life at risk to come to the aid of a mother and daughter after they were shot in their driveway, while the man accused of the horrific crime has had his name and image suppressed in court.

Max McLean has told 7NEWS about his frantic efforts to save Aleksandra Vergulis, 51, and her daughter Daniela Vergulis, 22, in the driveway of a Campbelltown home on Saturday.

He said he was on scene before emergency crews arrived and attempted to perform first aid on Daniela, who had a gunshot wound to her leg.

“There was an upper wound in her thigh and I believe it hit the femoral artery,” he said.

“She could talk, but she wasn’t overly coherent.”

Another good Samaritan assisted Mr McLean in putting pressure on Daniela’s wound, while he checked on Aleksandra, who laid lifeless in the driveway.

Mr McLean said this was all happening while the accused gunman paced around the property.

“He was in and out, he came out a few times,” he said.

Max McLean told 7News about his frantic efforts to save Aleksandra Vergulis, 51, and her daughter Daniela Vergulis, 22, in the driveway of a Campbelltown home on Saturday. Picture: 7NEWS

The man, who is aged in his 50s, appeared in the Magistrates Court on Monday charged with murdering Aleksandra and attempting to murder Daniela.

During the brief hearing the man remained silent except to ask for an interpreter.

Scott Roche, defending, told the court there would be no application for bail and the case was adjourned until October.

A police prosecutor asked for man’s name and image to be temporarily suppressed as witnesses were still being interviewed and the identity of the man would play an important part of the ongoing investigation.

Magistrate Michael Fotheringham made the order which will be reviewed at the next court hearing.

Aleksandra Vergulis, 51, was shot and killed at Campbelltown. Picture: Supplied

Daniela Vergulis, 22 was also shot and remains in hospital. Picture: Supplied

The man was arrested after a four-hour siege in Campbelltown on Saturday afternoon. After allegedly shooting the two women the man is accused of holing himself in the house with multiple firearms.

Multiple streets around the Campbeltown home were shutdown as emergency services swarmed the area.

Daniela Vergulis was taken to the Royal Hospital with serious injuries and remains in hospital.

Heavily armed police surrounded the house and negotiated with the man until he eventually emerged with no weapons.

Crime scene investigators were on the scene for multiple hours scouring the man’s home and examining the scene of the shooting.

On Monday, a University of South Australia spokeswoman paid tribute to Aleksandra.

“The UniSA community has been shocked and saddened by the news of Aleksandra’s death,” she said.

“She was a highly respected colleague and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Aleksandra’s loved ones at this difficult time.”

According to LinkedIn, Daniela works as a legal secretary in the civil litigation department of the Crown Solicitor’s Office and graduated from UniSA in 2022 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Psychological Science.

According to her LinkedIn, she previously worked as a clerk for the Courts Administration Authority.

Daniela wrote on LinkedIn after graduating: “I am so proud to announce that I have graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Laws (Second class Honours) and Bachelor of Psychology.”