Wahroonga shooting: Father-in-law charged with attempted murder

An elderly man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, drug possession and firearms offences after he allegedly shot his son-in-law in the neck.

The scene in Wahroonga on Thursday. Picture: 7News

An elderly man has been charged with attempted murder, drug possession and firearms offences after allegedly shooting his son-in-law.

Police went to the affluent suburb of Wahroonga, in the upper north shore, around 10.10am yesterday after reports shots had been fired.

Emergency services found a 50-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his neck. He was treated outside the home on Highlands Ave before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Police closed the street and established a crime scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

His 73-year-old father in law was also treated by paramedics for injuries to his face.

He was taken to the same hospital as the 50-year-old before being arrested.

Police created a crime scene at the Wahroonga property and allegedly found two unregistered guns. They then executed a search warrant at a home at Beecroft where they allegedly found a third illegal weapon.

Police searched this white Holden Captiva. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

The older man was charged with a slew of offences including shoot with intent to murder, possessing a prohibited drug and owning guns and ammunition without a permit.

His bail was refused and is expected to appear at Hornsby Local Court today via a bedside hearing.

Superintendent Barry Vincent. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Neighbours said they didn’t know the men and believed the house was recently rented out.

One resident said her son-in-law witnessed the altercation before it escalated.

“My son-in-law was walking home this morning when he saw the two men fighting outside,” Jennifer Passfield said.

“We don’t know who they are that live there.”

Jarrod Walsh was walking home in the street when he heard someone yelling “help”.

“I looked in from across the road … I saw these two older blokes trying to hit each other,” Mr Walsh said.

“They were trying to hit each other from across a car. One guy is trying to get away and the other is trying to bang him on the head.

“The next thing I heard sirens and police were storming in. Tasers drawn they said, ‘let me see your hands’.”

Kuring-Gai Police Area Command Superintendent Barry Vincent said the first officers on the scene had to ensure the men were not armed.

“They challenged both parties to make sure any potential firearms were secured,” Supt Vincent said.

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