Stanley Turvey, gunman with face tattoo, shot dead after three-day cross-border manhunt

An armed gunman with distinctive facial tattoos has been shot dead by police near Shepparton in Victoria’s north after a dramatic three-day manhunt.

An armed gunman has been shot dead by police after a three-day manhunt in the state’s north.

Stanley Turvey, who had distinctive face tattoos — including a grenade on his left cheek and the word “Family” inked above his left eyebrow — was found at an address in Ardmona, near Shepparton on Wednesday morning.

Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) found Turvey, who was armed, about 10.15am at a property on Turnbull Rd.

It is believed he confronted the officers who then shot him.

Paramedics declared Turvey dead at the scene.

Turvey was on the run since Monday. Picture: Facebook

Turvey confronted police with a gun before fleeing and sparking a manhunt. Picture: Facebook

A white Toyota HiLux ute police believe Turvey — who fired a gun when police tried to arrest him before he fled — had stolen was found on Fraser St in Tatura near Shepparton on Tuesday afternoon.

Turvey had been on a wild-cross border crime spree since Monday before his dramatic end on Wednesday.

Turvey was on a wild cross-border crime spree before the police stand-off at Ardmona. Picture: David Crosling

Police block off a road at Ardmona where fugitive Stan Turvey was shot dead. Picture: David Crosling

The Herald Sun on Tuesday revealed Turvey had regularly boasted about being part of the Finks OMCG in a series of disturbing social media posts.

In one video posted to Facebook, Turvey holds a dog’s leash tied to a collar around a man’s neck.

He appears to hold a knife in the other hand.

Turvey shouts orders at the man, who is on all fours, and threatens to cut the man’s tongue out.

A manhunt was under way since police were called to a property in Katandra West – a small town near Shepparton – just after midday on Monday to arrest Turvey.

Turvey allegedly confronted police with a firearm which he fired twice in the air before fleeing in a vehicle, police said.

Witnesses said at least seven police vehicles pursued Turvey in a high-speed chase in which a police vehicle lost control and rolled on Creighton Rd in Katandra West.

Two officers received minor injuries in the crash.

Turvey was then believed to have stopped at a residence in Youanmite, about 16km from Katandra West, where he forced a man to drive him across the border to Finley, New South Wales.

Turvey was then alleged to have assaulted a woman while armed with a firearm in Yarrawonga about 10am Tuesday, before stealing the white Toyota HiLux, which has now been recovered.

The scene at Ardmona where Turvey was shot and killed. Picture: David Crosling

The scene near Shepparton where Turvey got into a stand-off with police. Picture: David Crosling

Ardmona resident Jackarna Davis said she believed Turvey was travelling to her home, located just off Turnbull Rd, when police arrived.

Ms Davis has known Turvey since the pair were school children.

“I’ve known him for many years,” she said.

Turvey is believed to have been known to many residents in the Greater Shepparton area as a regular drug user.

Turvey has boasted on social media of being part of the Finks. Picture: Facebook

“Once he got on the drugs, that’s when things changed,” Ms Davis said.

“He was getting into all sorts of trouble.

“Everyone around here knows everyone, so we all knew him and what he was like,” Ms Davis said.

The homicide squad will investigate Turvey’s death and the probe will be overseen by the force’s Professional Standards Command as per standard protocol.