NT Police explain details released on Peppi active shooter

NT Police has defended the communications around an incident in which officers came under rifle fire, saying a senior officer revealed ‘police received reports of shots being fired’ at the time.

NT Police has defended its communications around an incident in which officers and Traditional Owners came under rifle fire in a remote community two years ago.

A sworn statement signed by a senior officer present at the scene and obtained by the NT News reveals they heard “a rifle shot, loudly and clearly” on the morning of November 25, 2021.

The officer goes on to depose that they believed the 0.22 calibre rifle fire “was directed at the group of people we were standing with” — members of the Wilson family, Peppimenarti’s Traditional Owners — from “about 100 meters” away.

After failing to answer questions about the shooting for more than two weeks, a spokeswoman for NT Police said she had “been contacted by a member (of the force) familiar with the incident” after the NT News published excerpts from the statement on Thursday.

The spokeswoman again failed to provide answers to specific questions but claimed the incident was “reported” by former Commissioner Jamie Chalker at a press conference on the day.

She could not provide a recording or transcript of Mr Chalker’s comments but pointed to a statement issued by Commander Janelle Tonkin on the same day in which she revealed only that “police received reports of shots being fired”.

The heavily fortified Peppimenarti police station, to which officers retreated after coming under close-range rifle fire in 2021. Picture: Jason Walls

“NT Police have been working with community leaders and service providers to address a longstanding dispute between family groups that has led to recent unrest in the community,” Commander Tonkin said at the time.

“Early this morning police received reports of shots being fired in the area. These reports are currently under investigation.

“Additional police resources are being sent to the community to support the local members and restore a sense of safety.

“There have been no injuries reported and no arrests at this stage.”

The spokeswoman did not respond to questions about why no mention was made of shots being fired towards police and civilians or whether any charges were laid as a result.

A 27-year-old man was later charged with five counts of recklessly endangering life after bullet holes were found at a separate residence the following day but the spokeswoman would not say whether the earlier shots were the subject of any investigation.

Cops hid shooting from public after rounds fired at officers, civilians

NT Police has failed to explain why it did not inform the public about an active shooter incident in Peppimenarti in which officers and community members were allegedly fired upon at close range, forcing the evacuation of the local clinic.

A sworn statement signed by a senior officer present at the scene and seen by the NT News reveals they heard “a rifle shot, loudly and clearly” on the morning of November 25, 2021.

“I would consider the rifle to be a 0.22 or similar calibre,” they wrote.

“I was concerned that the shot was directed at the group of people we were standing with.

“The shot sounded close, about 100 meters, and had come from the area behind the work sheds. I did not see anyone with a firearm.”

The officer reported they were standing with several members of the Wilson family at the time, Peppimenarti’s recognised Traditional Owners, who have been at the centre of an ongoing conflict with the town’s notorious Jovi Boys gang.

“Several other people in the group appeared unsettled,” they wrote.

“(The other officer) and I returned to the police car and I intended conducting patrols.

“I phoned the Duty Superintendent to confirm that shots were being fired, she advised us to return to the station and additional resources would be allocated to the community.”

The officer reported that after they returned to the station they recalled speaking with “several police supervisors via phone and providing briefings”, with two other officers attending Peppi “a few hours later”.

“I recall by this time it had begun raining heavily and was aware that any evidence of rifle or other shells would likely be lost,” they wrote.

Damage to the heavily fortified home of Peppimenarti TO Nunuk Wilson allegedly caused by a machete. Picture: Jason Walls

“Later that afternoon, several Tactical (sic) Response Group members attended to provide assistance.”

The officer then visited nurses at the local clinic later that afternoon who reported hearing “loud gunshots into the early hours, so loud that a client had jumped off the clinic bed to hide underneath”.

“Both nurses explained they were in the process of closing the clinic and would be flying out of the community that afternoon due to unsafe conditions,” they wrote.

After being given more than two weeks to respond to questions about the shooting and why it was not made public, an NT Police spokesman claimed the force was “not refusing to comment”.

“I have followed up with the commander of that region and am awaiting a response,” he said.

A 27-year-old man has since been charged with five counts of recklessly endangering life after bullet holes were found at a separate residence and the case remains before the courts.

It is unclear whether anyone has been charged with shooting at the Wilsons or police.

Originally published as NT Police explain details released on Peppi active shooter