Young woman charged over hotel shooting as doctors work save girl’s arm

A 16-year-old has suffered serious injuries and may lose her arm after she was shot at a Toowoomba hotel. The person who police allege fired the gun has now appeared in court.

A crime scene has been established after a teenage girl was seriously injured near the Toowoomba CBD on Annand St.

A woman who turned 18 just six months ago has faced court later after she was charged with a string of serious weapons offences after she allegedly fired a sawed-off shotgun in a Toowoomba hotel room, injuring two people.

The alleged shooter, Karleeah Marie Jensen, was not required to appear in person nor by video link, when her serious charges were mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Jensen did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

Bouchier and Khan senior associate and lawyer Alysha Jacobson, asked for a full brief of evidence to be provided to her office for each charge.

Ms Jensen was charged with the dangerous operation of a weapon, causing grievous bodily harm, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of explosives, and the unlawful wounding of another.

The 18-year-old’s case will next be mentioned in court on April 12, when police prosecution intends to upgrade the unlawful possession of a weapon charge to include an aggravated feature.

Emergency services were called to a hotel on Annand St in Toowoomba Tuesday afternoon following reports a 16-year-old Wyreema girl had suffered a serious arm injury.

A crime scene was established after it was reported the 16-year-old girl sustained a serious gunshot wound to her arm about 2.40pm.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed the girl was taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a serious but stable condition with a “significant” arm injury.

She was later transported to Brisbane where she will undergo a series of reconstructive procedures as doctors attempt to save her arm.

A 37-year-old Wyreema woman sustained chest and arm injuries and was taken in a stable condition to Toowoomba Hospital.

An 18-year-old woman was on Tuesday night taken into police custody.

It is believed the 18-year-old knew the 16-year-old who was shot in the arm.

A Queensland Police spokesman had earlier said a number of people were present at the time of the incident and were assisting police with their inquiries.

Queensland Police confirmed a crime scene was established and Toowoomba detectives were investigating the matter.

Toowoomba Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said police are working to determine how the girl came into possession of the firearm. It appeared the gun was not fired with intent, he said.

“This happened at about 2.30-2.40pm near the Kwong Sang Walk and we would like to speak to anyone who was in that area at the time,” he said.

If you can help the investigation phone Policelink on 131 444.