Tasmania breaking news: Police believe 19-year-old was murdered after he dies from head wound

Having battled in hospital for over a week, a 19-year-old man has succumbed to his injuries following a serious incident in Hobart’s northern suburbs.

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Murder investigation after teen dies from head wound

3pm: A 19-year-old man’s death has triggered a murder investigation, Tasmania Police confirm.

Police said the teenager sustained a serious injury, believed to be a stab wound to the head, at Dickson St, Glenorchy on March 11.

“Sadly, police can advise the man has died earlier today in the Royal Hobart Hospital, and our thoughts are with the young man’s family and friends,” Detective Acting Inspector Nicholas Bowden, from Glenorchy CIB told media on Saturday.

He confirmed police would now make a murder inquiry.

On March 11, emergency services found an unconscious and non-responsive man outside a Glenorchy property about 11.30pm.

Detective Acting Inspector Bowden said police investigation was ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“Detectives are following a specific line of inquiry. Investigations indicate that the person or people responsible and the victim knew each other, and that this was an isolated incident.

“If anyone has any information in relation about this matter, I ask them to come forward.

“In particular, if anyone saw a small four door sedan, possibly silver in colour, with several occupants, in the area of Dickson Street at the time, please contact police.

“We are particularly interested in dashcam or other CCTV vision.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Glenorchy CIB on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR769213.

Window shattered after gun fired, police

March 22, 9.15am: Police have declared a crime scene at a Lutana house after it’s alleged a firearm was shot into the premise on Friday evening.

Police said the alleged incident, reported about 9.30pm, caused damage to a window.

Officers confirmed several people were inside the property at the time and no one was injured.

Investigations will be underway, with the scene blocked off for the purpose of forensic examination, police say.

Police suspected a silver hatch style vehicle was involved in the incident, saying witnesses saw the vehicle leaving the area through Goodwood.

Officers said the alleged incident appeared to be targeted and don’t expect there to be a risk to the wider community.

If anyone has information or witnessed suspicious activity, they have been urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

Firearm amnesty across state over weekend

March 21, 11.14am: Tasmania Police will begin their first firearm amnesty drive over the weekend.

Police are encouraging the community to surrender illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition to police during firearms amnesty drive at 10 different locations.

Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said police will be conducting the firearms amnesty drive as part of Tasmania’s permanent firearms amnesty.

“The amnesty means you can surrender illegal or unwanted firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or gel blasters that have the appearance of a firearm at any time without fear of being prosecuted for the possession,” he said.

“Along with the permanent amnesty, Tasmania Police holds mobile firearms amnesty drives across the state each year, for people to come to designated locations to surrender unwanted items.

“We know there are people in our community that have illegal or unwanted firearms in their possession, and this weekend is an opportunity to surrender them to police, to ensure they don’t end up in the wrong hands.

“This weekend police will be at a range of locations in the south, north and west of Tasmania, and we encourage people to make the most of the opportunity.”

Police said those wanting to surrender firearms or ammunition are asked to transport the items safely to the amnesty location, leave them in your vehicle and speak to officers who will retrieve them.

The firearms amnesty drive will be:

SOUTH:

– Franklin, Franklin Foreshore Park – Saturday 22 March 11am-1pm

– Hamilton Police Station – Sunday 23 March, 3pm-4pm

NORTH:

– Longford Police Station – Saturday 22 March, 12noon-3pm

– Campbell Town Police Station – Sunday 23 March, 12noon-3pm

WEST:

– Smithton Anzac Park, 48 King Street Smithton – Saturday 22 March, 9am-10am

– Wynyard Police Station, 21 Saunders Street Wynyard – Saturday 22 March, 11am-12noon

– Wivenhoe Recreation Centre, Wivenhoe Showgrounds, 1-7 Pearl Street Wivenhoe, 2pm-3pm

– Port Sorell Police Station, 2/5 Club Drive Port Sorell – Sunday 23 March, 9am-10am

– East Devonport Recreation Centre, 67 Caroline Street East Devonport – Sunday 23 March, 11am-12noon

– Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre, Flora Street West Ulverstone – Sunday 23 March, 2pm-3pm

Those who have items to surrender but are unable to attend this amnesty drive in person, Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said to email [e-mail] or call 131 444 to make arrangements for police to collect items from you.

“We know that there are people who know about illegal firearms in our community,” he said.

“If you have any information, I urge you to contact police on 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers Tasmania.”

Crime Stoppers Tasmania Ambassador Mark Mewis said any illegal firearms should be a concern to the whole community.

“It is the responsibility of all of us to remove these illicit firearms, and we encourage Tasmanians to report any information they may have,” he said.

“If you know the location of any illegal firearms, or are aware of people in possession of these firearms, you can provide this information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.”

Drug trafficking charges laid after alleged evade

2pm: A Latrobe man has been accused of drug trafficking after allegedly evading police on the North-West Coast on Monday.

Police allege officers attempted to intercept a vehicle on Forbes St at Devonport around 11am.

They accused the driver of evading police, which officers said led to a subsequent raid of a Devonport home.

Latrobe man charged with drug and traffic offences. Picture: Tasmania Police

Police believe the man they took into custody, and then charged, was the driver involved in the alleged incident.

Officers reported finding a quantity of methamphetamines at the property, which was seized, police say.

The 40-year-old man has been charged with several drug and road safety related offences including trafficking in a controlled drug and aggravated evade.

He was detained to appear before the Devonport Magistrates Court today.

Woman injured in Channel Highway crash

Update: The road is now clear following a crash on Channel Highway, Huntingfield.

March 18, 12.20pm: Traffic is being diverted on the Channel Highway while emergency services attend the scene of a single vehicle crash.

North bound traffic travelling from Margate to Kingston will be diverted via Maddocks Road into Spring Farm until further notice.

Southbound traffic can continue to travel through.

Police said the female driver and sole occupant of the vehicle involved was reported to have received minor injuries.

They asked motorists approaching the area to proceed with caution while emergency services are attending.

Person in custody after alleged evade in southern Tas

March 17, 1.15pm: Police have taken a person into custody after an alleged evade incident at Swamp Rd, Franklin.

Officers said there was a high police presence at the scene while they conduct their duties following the alleged incident.

They have asked motorists to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.

A police spokesperson indicated more details on the situation would be provided in due course.

Driver accused of speeding allegedly overtook unmarked police car

10.47am: A driver who overtook an unmarked police car was allegedly driving at 138km/h and was already had their licence disqualified, officers say.

They were one of 43 speeding drivers caught during a three-hour blitz on northern highways on Friday afternoon, police said.

Police said a P1 licence holder, who is restricted to max speed of 100km/h, was also reportedly travelling at 125km/h.

The P-plater copped a $353.50 fine and three demerit points.

Officers also reported catching a driver whose vehicle registration was nine months expired.

Acting Sergeant Daniel Midson said the results were disappointing.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we are urging all road users to make safer choices,” he said.

“Tasmania Police is committed to reducing the number of deaths and injuries on our roads, which is why we conduct a range of enforcement activities to make our roads safer for everyone.”

Meth, MDMA allegedly found during vehicle search

10.40am: Methamphetamine and MDMA were allegedly found and seized during a police search of a vehicle in the state’s north, officers report.

A 26-year-old Gravelly Beach was arrested and charged with trafficking, firearms offences and minor drug offences.

Police said they intercepted the vehicle on Mole Creek Rd just before 7.30pm on Friday when they found the alleged drug stash.

Officers said a search of the man’s home followed, where police allegedly found more MDMA, ammunition and two firearm silences.

The man is set to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court in May.

Originally published as Tasmania breaking news: Police believe 19-year-old was murdered after he dies from head wound