Shepparton man in court over alleged firearm offence which killed his partner

A Shepparton man whose homemade gun accidentally discharged killing “the love of his life” while their children were at home is now facing court over her death.

Adam Winmar fronted court over the death of partner Kiara Ferguson.

The family of a mother who was tragically killed when a homemade gun owned by her partner accidentally discharged while their two children were at the house has been left in a “world of pain”, a court has heard.

Adam Winmar, 28, fronted the Koori Court in Shepparton on Thursday over the accidental death of his partner, who was treated at the scene but couldn’t be saved.

On April 1 2023, Kiara Ferguson, Mr Winmar’s partner, was shot and suffered serious injuries, and was pronounced dead a short time later.

When police were called to the property on McCubbin Drive at 6.10pm they found a home made gun which belonged to Mr Winmar, with his fingerprints being found on the weapon.

Kiara and Adam’s two children were in the house when the gun was discharged.

Later that day, police charged Mr Winmar with being a prohibited person possessing a firearm.

Julie Ferguson, Kiara’s older sister, gave a graphic victim impact statement into Kiara’s death, saying it had caused much grief and difficulty

Ms Ferguson said and she no longer “feels comfortable” going to the shops, especially at night.

She also said that Mr Winmar’s face makes her feel “rage and also panic”.

Ms Ferguson also said that since Kiara’s death she preferred to stay at home, a drastic change from a previously busy social life.

McCubbin Drive in Shepparton, where Kiara Ferguson died on April 1 2023.

Kiara’s parents also gave victim statements, saying the loss of their daughter has been “unbearable”.

They also said that Mr Winmar showed “no remorse” when they arrived at the scene of Kiara’s death.

Mr Winmar told the court he has struggled since his partner’s death.

“I’m trying to get by, I guess everything’s just been tough … I lost my partner,” Mr Winmar said.

As to the gun, he couldn’t explain why he made it, or why it wasn’t locked away.

Mr Winmar said that since Kiara’s death, he’s “been in a world of grief and pain … Knowing that (he will) never get to hear her voice again”.

Defence lawyer Graeme Davis noted that Mr Winmar was grieving the loss “of the love of his life” and that he was unable to attend Kiara’s funeral.

Mr Davis referred to the incident as a “dreadful accident”.

The prosecution referred to the “gravity” and “seriousness” of the event and pushed for the maximum penalty to be outlaid.

“The only sentence is a custodial sentence”, the prosecution said, referring to the negative impact on the community the incident has had.

Magistrate Anne Goldsbrough said this case was “the maximum a magistrate can deal with before it goes to the County Court”.

Ms Goldsbrough acknowledged the difficulty of the entire incident for the families involved. Ms Goldsbrough questioned why Mr Winmar had a loaded gun when he was a prohibited person.

Tributes flowed for Ms Ferguson in the wake of her death

Mr Winmar, who faced court earlier in the week, will undergo a psychological assessment.

Ms Goldsborough adjourned the matter — part heard — to February 16 2024, where Mr Winmar fill next face the Koori Court.