Man shot dead at front door of Hamilton South unit

Detectives are investigating whether a low-level criminal shot dead at the door of his Newcastle unit had a short chat with his killer before the fatal blast.

Detectives are investigating whether a low-level criminal shot dead at the door of his unit had a short conversation with his killer before the fatal blast.

Anthony Nugent, 57, had time to fully open the door to his small Hamilton South unit block and speak to someone before his partner heard the shot ring out about 11pm on Tuesday.

The single gunshot from an unknown weapon pierced Nugent’s chest and felled him instantly.

He would not survive.

The crime scene in Hamilton South, Newcastle, where a man was shot dead at the front door of his apartment block on Tuesday night. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

The crime scene in Hamilton South, Newcastle, where a man was shot dead at the front door of his apartment block on Tuesday night. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Also inside was Nugent’s partner, who although uninjured was understandably hysterical as she rang triple-0.

Despite the “targeted attack” occurring in a unit block thick with residents at 11pm on a Tuesday, it is believed to be the only call emergency services received – Fowler St at Hamilton South is a place where Housing NSW tenants tend to keep to themselves as a form of protection.

But Nugent had no chance for any protection.

The firearm blast was close and Nugent succumbed to his injuries before police arrived.

The crime scene around the unit block extended for more than 50 metres, though it was the entrance to the block and adjacent to the door where Nugent was shot that attracted most of the attention from forensic experts and crime scene analysts on Wednesday morning.

Nugent was known to police but was not considered a significant player in Newcastle crime networks.

The crime scene in Hamilton South, Newcastle, where a man was shot dead at the front door of his apartment block on Tuesday night. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

The crime scene in Hamilton South, Newcastle, where a man was shot dead at the front door of his apartment block on Tuesday night. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Any possible motive for the shooting was being kept tight by Strike Force Alcheringa detectives, comprised of investigators from Newcastle and the state’s homicide squad.

Newcastle City police district commander Supt Tracy Chapman would only confirm with reporters that investigators believed the shooting was targeted.

“There’s nothing to suggest that it’s not [targeted],” Supt Chapman said.

“We won’t speculate on issues at the moment, it is part of the investigation. But that is certainly our information at this point in time.”

Supt Chapman did confirm the victim had been shot once to the chest at the front door, and that the second person inside the unit had raised the alarm.

Nugent’s partner was not physically harmed and is not a suspect.

The crime scene in Hamilton South, Newcastle, where a man was shot dead at the front door of his apartment block on Tuesday night. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Supt Chapman said she did not wish to comment on whether the shooting was crime-related, whether Nugent had a dark past or even his identity.

However, it can be revealed that detectives believe Nugent had answered the knock to his door and had a short conversation with someone before being shot.

Supt Chapman confirmed investigators were following several leads.

“In terms of public assistance. I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Fowler Street, Hamilton South last night between 10:30pm and 11:30pm.,” Supt Chapman said.

“Anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV footage or anyone who saw or heard anything to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.”