Man shot dead at Heddon Greta home, police investigate

A man has been fatally shot in a home – where two children in what police believe was a “targeted” attack in the Hunter Valley. Detectives have launched a strike force to investigate.

A street view image of Traders Way, Heddon Greta. Picture: Google

Police investigating a “targeted” attack in the state’s Hunter region, in which 25-year-old man was fatally shot with a single round overnight, have revealed five other adults and two children were inside the home when the deadly incident unfolded.

Emergency services responded to reports of a shooting Traders Way, Heddon Greta – about 20km from Cessnock – shortly before 11pm on Tuesday.

Paramedics treated the man but he died at the scene. He has been formally identified as a 25-year-old resident of the house.

An investigation has been launched into the shooting under Strike Force Roslyn with a crime scene established by Hunter Valley Police District officers to be examined by specialist police.

Hunter Valley Police superintendent Tracy Chapman said the man was believed to have been shot once in the house while seven other people were inside.

Hunter Valley Superintendent Tracy Chapman. Picture: Dan Proudman

She said there were an undisclosed number of offenders who attended the house and appealed for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward to police.

“It is highly likely the offenders have fled the scene using a motor vehicle,” she said.

“There was not a lot of vehicular traffic at the time so any footage at all will be useful for us.”

Superintendent Chapman said the victim was known to police “in a very limited capacity” but there was “no information” to suggest the murder was bikie-related.

“At this stage we don’t believe that this was a random attack, certainly it would appear that it was targeted,” she said.

“And members of the community have no reason to be concerned, we don’t believe there is any risk to the community currently.”

Superintendent Chapman said it was premature to comment whether the shooting was drug related.

“It’s very early in the investigation, we’re just over 12 hours into the investigation so I couldn’t comment on that at this time,” she said.

Police urge anyone who may have CCTV, dashcam vision or information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.