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Southbank shooting: shots heard, man seen with gun in Power St

LATEST: NEIGHBOURS heard ‘high-pitched’ screaming before four gunshots were fired in quick succession in Southbank early this morning.

Police have closed off Power St, Southbank after witnesses saw a man with a gun and heard a number of early this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Police have closed off Power St, Southbank after witnesses saw a man with a gun and heard a number of early this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston

NEIGHBOURS heard “high-pitched” screaming before four gunshots were fired in quick succession in Southbank early this morning.

It’s believed two men walked together from Crown Casino to Power St before one of the men pointed a gun at the other.

The shots hit the fence of a nearby vacant block, missing the targeted man.

Witness Natasha Smits said she woke to “high-pitched” screaming from one person and she was unable to tell if it was a female or male voice.

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“I just woke up to lots of screaming,” Ms Smits said.

“It sounded like someone sort of losing it, having a bit of a mental health episode.

“It was repeat screaming and it didn’t sound like an argument.”

Police have spoken to a worker from a nearby building, who was smoking just metres from the pair when gunfire rung out about 4am.

Detectives were hoping information from that witness, and CCTV from surrounding apartments, would help them track down the pair involved.

The man who had the gun pointed at him had walked off from the scene of the shooting and had not made contact with authorities.

Evidence markers at the crime scene this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Evidence markers at the crime scene this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Neighbours heard screams before shots were fired. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Neighbours heard screams before shots were fired. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Police investigate the shooting outside Crown Casino. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Police investigate the shooting outside Crown Casino. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A number of residents and bystanders provided statements to police.

Olivia Sepecan, who was walking to the gym at the time, said she heard loud gunshots before police rushed to the area to close down the road.

“It was pretty scary,” Ms Sepecan said.

Detectives were performing line searches in the vacant block as ballistics experts examined bullet holes in the surrounding wall.

Police Senior Sergeant Steve Bills said the offender and the victim walked off in opposite directions of Queens Bridge St.

“It appears at this stage the shots didn’t hit the victim at all,” he said.

Police collected four bullet casings, believed to belong to a pistol, from the scene.

Police investigate the shooting. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Police investigate the shooting. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Power St has been cordoned off. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Power St has been cordoned off. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The shooting scene is close to Crown Casino. Picture: Nicole Garmston
The shooting scene is close to Crown Casino. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Snr Sgt Bills said it was likely the two men had known each other.

“Somebody heard an argument but what that argument was about we have no idea,” he said.

“We’ve recovered four shells from the scene a handgun, pistol of some description.

“It’s obviously concerning that anybody is carrying a firearm and willing to use the firearm.

“It seems in these circumstances that they were known to each other and it doesn’t appear to be a random shooting.

“We haven’t had any contact with the victim and we would encourage them to contact police.”

Evidence markers were set up along the median strip of Power St and outside the vacant lot where the shell casings were discovered.

A man in a neighbouring apartment building, who did not wish to be named, said he had been woken up by the sound of gunshots.

“We were up in our apartment so we didn’t see anything but I’d say we heard about five or so shots out of nowhere,” he said.

“There was no sound of tyres screeching or anything like that from what I could hear but we were quite far away.

“The sound of the gunshots was hard to miss though.”

Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/southbank-shooting-shots-heard-man-seen-with-gun-in-power-st/news-story/bae823ad6d95d062cbe81cdf9d7287ee