Southport shooting: Woman shot in arm, Gold Coast medical centre
A woman shot at a medical centre on the Gold Coast is understood to know the man who did it – and claims he fumbled the gun in a stairwell.
Police & Courts
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POLICE are investigating whether the weapon used in a shooting at a Southport medical centre was a homemade gun.
A 29-year-old woman was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital after presenting to Southport Health Precinct with a wound about 2.15pm Wednesday.
The woman told police she was in the fire escape of the building when her male companion accidentally dropped the firearm, causing it to fire and striking her in the left arm.
The wound has been described as a “graze”.
Police say the man picked up the weapon and fled. He remains on the run.
Detectives are investigating whether the weapon was a homemade gun.
The injured woman is not co-operating with investigators.
Police reviewed CCTV in search of the man, who they have since identified.
Gold Coast police Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said this week: “It is obviously extremely concerning for us, although supposedly it an accidental incident.
“The fact that an individual is carrying a loaded firearm in a public place is obviously extremely concerning for us.
“We will be pursuing this matter to locate this offender.”
Police probe “accidental” shooting
A WOMAN has told police she was shot when a man dropped a gun in a stairwell, with police saying it’s believed they knew each other and they are probing if it was accidental.
But she is refusing to give up the man’s identity.
The woman, 29, presented to a Southport Health Precinct with a wound to her left forearm about 2.15pm.
It has been described as a graze.
It is understood the woman told police she was shot in the building’s stairwell when a man dropped a firearm.
The man picked up the firearm and fled.
Police are now reviewing CCTV searching in search of the man.
A Queensland Police spokesman said the man is believed to be known to the woman and police are investigating if the shot was accidental.
The spokesman said the shooter is no threat to the public.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a woman was taken to hospital with a minor arm abrasion after paramedics were called to High Street about 2.15pm.
Following the incident workers at Southport Health Precinct were told the building was in lockdown.
About half an hour later it was deemed safe for workers to leave the building.
At 4pm police had shut off the High St entrance to the health precinct and forensic police were on the scene collecting evidence.
Staff seemed to be unfazed about the incident and coming in and out of the building from the Little High St entrance.
A person who had an appointment at the health precinct said work was still being carried out inside but police were searching for evidence.
They said police were looking for the bullet shell, thinking the cleaner may have mopped it up.
More to come …
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