Child murderer John Edwards turned away from shooting clubs due to ‘serious concerns’
In the years leading up to the murder of his children, John Edwards had tried to join several shooting clubs in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney but was continually turned away.
NSW
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IN the years leading up to the murder of his children, John Edwards tried to join several shooting clubs in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney but was continually turned away.
A representative of the Ku-ring-gai Pistol Club said the 67-year-old had approached the club in December 2016 but was turned away because the group held serious concerns about him.
“He came to our club some time ago and we were not very happy with him,” he said.
“We turned him away. There were too many things about him we didn’t feel comfortable with.”
MORE: Mum ‘struggling after teen kids were shot dead’
The club representative said they were aware he had attempted to join two other clubs within the Hornsby rifle range complex but they too would not accept his membership.
“Mr Edwards attempted to join a couple of different clubs. Obviously we speak to one another and he was turned away from any of the clubs we know he attempted to gain membership with,” he said.
“He told us he had been denied a firearms licence some time previously and that’s one of the reasons we decided not to have anything to do with him. I know at least two other clubs on the complex took the same stance that we did.”
He said the club had strict vetting procedures before it allowed people to join.
It invites people to the range, goes through their backgrounds and makes them sign a declaration on the police firearms website.
“It’s absolutely abhorrent for anyone to do anything to a children,” the club rep said.
“On behalf of every shooter at the Hornsby complex, our thoughts are with all the friends and family of the deceased.”
Meanwhile, girls from Jack’s school laid flowers and candles out the front of the home on Friday night.
“Please know you are in our thoughts... words are inadequate,” one card laid at the scene said.
Neighbours at West Pennant Hills described Jack and Jennifer as “beautiful” children.
“The children were just beautiful and that is what is so sad — they had their lives ahead of them,” said one.
She said she often saw Jennifer walking her dog.
“She was a pretty little dear thing — very sweet, that little face, it was a kind face,” she said.
“That little girl loved her dog. She used to walk her dog every day.
“That was the main contact — the ball would come to our yard and she would ask to get it. She was so polite.”
Another resident said that Olga would tell stories about Russia.
“She loved her children,” he said.