By Gillian Lantouris
Embattled Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been questioned by police after his car was suspected of being involved in a drive-by shooting in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Police and club officials said Ugle-Hagan was not involved in the June 11 incident in Glen Iris, in which shots were fired at a vehicle being driven by a 71-year-old man in what is suspected to be a case of mistaken identity.
Glen Iris resident Douglas Lee said he was returning home when his car was struck by the first shot. “I looked up, saw a car approaching me rapidly ... but as I steeled myself for the collision, they passed me and fired two more shots,” Lee said.
The grandfather wasn’t injured, and said he felt lucky. “The size of the hole ... I’m glad it didn’t hit me,” he said. “The shooters sped away in the vehicle.
“I refuse to live in fear, and encourage the community to take to the streets, don’t hide.”
Police confirmed Boroondara-based detectives were investigating the nighttime shooting, but had ruled out any involvement of the 23-year-old owner of the four-wheel-drive.
Douglas Lee’s car was struck by three bullets while he was driving home. Credit: Nine News
“A man was driving on Gardiner Parade around 10.10pm when he heard a gunshot, believed to be from a vehicle parked nearby,” police said in a statement. “Police were told the vehicle drove away, narrowly missing colliding with the man’s car.
“Investigators have identified a vehicle of interest in relation to this investigation. That vehicle is yet to be located, but investigators have spoken with the registered owner of the car and are satisfied that they were not involved in the incident.”
In a podcast on June 3, Ugle-Hagan opened up about his mental health struggles, saying he had reached “a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn’t drive. I just didn’t trust myself driving.”
Nearly two weeks after the drive-by shooting, Ugle-Hagan posted on social media that another vehicle belonging to him, a Toyota ute, had been stolen.
Police photographing the bullet holes in Douglas Lee’s car after last month’s shooting.Credit: Nine News
In a statement on Friday night, the Western Bulldogs said the club was aware of a police incident involving a vehicle registered to Ugle-Hagan.
“The club is satisfied that Jamarra was not involved in the incident and that he had not been in possession of the vehicle for some time before it occurred,” the club said.
“Jamarra has fully co-operated with the subsequent police investigation. The club is continuing to support Jamarra as he works through the management plan that was developed with him earlier this year.”
The Bulldogs rallied around Ugle-Hagan after he revealed the depths of his mental health struggles.
However, Ugle-Hagan, who has not played since the Bulldogs’ elimination final loss to Hawthorn in September, which finished his career-best 43-goal season, is keen to resume his career.
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