Stacey Klimovitch shot through front door of Stockton home, strike force hunts killer

Grandmother Stacey Klimovitch died from a single shotgun blast to the chest, fired through the screen door of her Stockton home while her family was inside.

The sound of a single shot followed by a “blood-curdling scream” startled a quiet street as a grandmother was gunned down at the front of her Stockton home on Wednesday night.

Stacey Klimovitch, a grandmother and swimming instructor, was shot dead at her home in Stockton. Picture: Facebook.

Stacey Klimovitch, 61, died from a shotgun wound to the chest, fired through the screen door of her Queen St property.

Forensic police are on the scene of a fatal shooting at a Queen St, Stockton home. Picture: Emily Burley.

Detectives are speaking to neighbours who may have heard the shooting. Picture: Emily Burley.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 8pm, but no arrests have been made in relation to the murder.

Ms Klimovitch’s daughter Alex, 30, and eight-week-old grandchild were inside the home when she was killed but did not see the attack.

Ms Klimovitch lived in one of four adjoining residences. Picture: Emily Burley.

“I heard a shot, Alex’s blood-curdling scream and I was on the phone to Triple-0,” an upstairs neighbour said.

“I can still hear that scream run through me. I wanted to go out there but I was too scared.

“Whoever it was must have had it well planned because I didn’t hear them arrive or leave, and I can hear everything from my place.”

The northern end of Queen St remained closed on Thursday morning. Picture: Emily Burley.

The neighbour said she wasn’t aware of anyone who would want to hurt Ms Klimovitch.

“She really was just the loveliest, loveliest lady,” she said.

“It’s unexpected because everything was going so good for her, she was happy.

“The baby had just been born and it was just a really happy time for her.”

Ms Klimovitch was well known in the community for teaching young children to swim at Stockton Swimming Centre.

Neighbours were interviewed at the scene then taken to Stockton Police Station to provide a formal statement. Picture: Emily Burley.

It’s understood Ms Klimovitch had a very brief argument with her killer before she was shot. Police believe the culprit fled on foot, despite some neighbours reporting the sound of a car “speeding off”.

Police said while they had not made an arrest, the community was not at risk.

Police were called to Stockton about 8pm after reports of a gun shot. Picture: Daniel Irwin.

“I am convinced that it is a targeted attack, for what purpose I do not know,” Newcastle City Police district commander Det. Supt Wayne Humphrey said.

“We do have a number of lines of enquiry we’re exercising this morning.

“I want to assure the Stockton community though that the likelihood of a reoccurrence of this offence is very, very unlikely. This is a targeted attack.”

Strike Force Backhouse was established to investigate. Picture: Daniel Irwin.

Queen St remained cordoned off until early on Thursday afternoon while forensic investigators processed the scene.

Ms Klimovitch lived on the ground floor of a property that had been converted into four units, with one next door to hers and two upstairs.

Police have appealed for people with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. Picture: Daniel Irwin.

Strike Force Backhouse has been established to investigate the murder and police have called for witnesses to the shocking crime to come forward.

“It’s horrendous,” Det. Supt Humphrey said.

“An innocent person has answered the front door and she’s been shot in the chest and killed. It doesn’t get any worse.”

Anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage of the area, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.