Police reveal officer’s gun went off by mistake at scene of shooting in Newton
Police have launched an internal investigation into how an officer’s gun was fired during an arrest at the scene of another shooting on Tuesday.
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SA Police have launched an internal investigation after an officer was injured when a police firearm was discharged at the scene of a separate shooting on Tuesday.
Police were called to Liascos Ave at Newton at about 4pm when a man, 81, suffered serious gunshot wounds.
Police have now confirmed that an officer’s weapon was accidentally discharged during an unrelated arrest at the scene.
Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said a member of the public “squabbled” with police as they approached the house where the 81-year-old was earlier shot in the arm and leg.
“I can say that discharge of a firearm was not intentional and an internal investigation is currently being conducted in relation to the circumstances surrounding that,” Mr Duval said.
The gun was fired into the ground, and another officer suffered minor injuries as a result of its discharge, but they did not require medical treatment.
A man, 53, was arrested and charged with hindering police but was released on police bail.
Overnight, the body of a 19-year-old man who is suspected of shooting the elderly man was found near the River Torrens at Athelstone.
Mr Duval said the teenager was related to the 81-year-old shooting victim but did not live at the address where the shooting took place.
The firearm used in the incident was found next to the teenager’s dead body.
The weapon was licensed and how the teenager came into its possession will form part of the investigation.
“The victim was known to the deceased man and there are no other suspects at this stage being sought in relation to this incident, but we are keeping an open mind as the investigation is continuing,” Mr Duval said.
A vehicle believed to have been driven by the suspect was located on Gorge Rd about 7.20pm Tuesday, prompting police to close the road between Bermuda Court and Corkscrew Rd while they searched for the suspect.
About two hours later, the body was located.
There are no suspicious circumstances in the man’s death and police are preparing a report for the Coroner.
Paramedics arrived and treated the man, 81, at the scene around 4pm before rushing him to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
A woman from the same house, a relative of the victim, was also taken to the RAH where she was treated for shock.
“This is a very traumatic circumstance, it is a family that has been involved in this, and absolutely our hearts go out to them in very difficult circumstances,” Mr Duval said.
At the scene of the shooting on Wednesday, neighbour Christopher Nettle-Jarratt said he was watching television when the incident broke out.
“When I first heard the bangs I stayed inside for a bit, better to be safe than sorry,” Mr Nettle Jarratt said.
“It’s very normal for fireworks, but you could tell that it wasn’t a firework because it was a bit closer than normal and it was very, very loud.
“I got told to get back inside a few times, I kept coming out because I just couldn’t believe what was happening.”
He said the situation was a lot to take in.
“It’s a very chilled, nice little community so I was quite shocked. Beautiful people in this area.”
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