Two gunshots fired during late-night altercation in New Town

A firearms detection dog was brought in to help investigate after two gunshots were fired during a late-night altercation in a Hobart suburb. LATEST POLICE NEWS >>

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Gunshots in late-night incident

LATE-night gunshots rang out in the suburb of New Town and police are searching for those involved as investigations continue into an ongoing feud.

Two shots were fired into the air near a property in Wilmslow Ave about 11.30pm on Friday.

No one was injured in the incident. No arrests have yet been made and police are yet to locate the gun involved.

Police said initial investigations suggested the shots were fired after an altercation at the front of the property between the female occupant, who was allegedly armed with a wooden implement, and three men believed to be aged in their 20s.

Three men are believed to have run to a dark-coloured sedan parked on the street about 20m from the woman’s front door and one of them let off two shots into the air.

Several vehicles then left the area quickly.

The altercation is believed to be linked to an earlier incident in which a youth was allegedly assaulted in Moonah.

Inspector Ben Duffey said the incident was not a threat to the wider community. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Tasmania Police Inspector Ben Duffey said it was believed all parties were known to each other and investigators were following a specific line of inquiry.

Inspector Duffey said the incident was not a threat to the wider community, but admitted such events caused concern.

“These types of incidents do instil fear in the community. That’s why it’s important to for us to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident,” he said.

“Tasmania Police takes these incidents extremely seriously. We have no tolerance of the use of illegal firearms on our streets.”

Police established a scene on site and a firearms detection dog was used to assist the police forensic services investigation.

Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.

Crash blocks highway traffic

Police and emergency services are attending a three-vehicle crash on the Brooker Highway, New Town, in the northern bound lanes.

There were no serious injuries in the incident.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area while two of the vehicles are removed by tow trucks.

The scene was cleared by 12.30pm.

Firearms incident

Police say they understand community concern following two separate firearms related incidents within hours in Launceston and are continuing their focus on getting illegal guns off the street.

At about 1am on Friday morning, police attended a residence on New Street in Invermay, where a firearm had been discharged into a rear bedroom window.

Police say the offender entered the property, threatened the residents and stole a small amount of personal items.

The occupants were not injured.

A few hours later, at about 4am, a single shot damaged the front lounge room window of a residence at St Leonards Road, St Leonards.

Police say the occupants of the residence were home at the time and were uninjured.

A small white vehicle was seen leaving the area at the time of the incident.

Police do not believe that the shootings are linked.

One neighbour of the St Leonard’s incident said they were woken by the gun shot.

“It was just a really loud bang, and then you could hear a couple of people talking and then the car took off,” the resident said.

“It’s not something you expect to happen.”

There have been 15 firearm related incidents in the Launceston area since the start of the year, with a taskforce established in April to crackdown on illegal firearms following a spate of shootings.

Inspector Luke Johnston said members of the taskforce had located a large quantity of firearms at a rural location in the Travellers Rest area, near Launceston on Friday, following information provided by the public.

In April a 52-year-old man was shot, also in the Launceston suburb of Invermay, after confronting two men who were allegedly attempting to break into his car.

He required surgery after receiving gunshot wounds to his upper leg, arms, torso and chest.

“So far, a total of 33 firearms and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition has been seized in the past 7 weeks,” Inspector Johnson said.

“The best way for us to investigate these matters is to get information and that’s why we are seeking information from the public about any of these incidents or any other suspicious activity,”

“I understand that there would be some concern in the community, however we are doing all we can to try and locate and seize illegal firearms from the community,” he said.

Caravan fire at Devonport

9:15pm Tuesday 22 June

A FIRE watch will remain on a Devonport property overnight with an investigation to take place into a caravan fire that occurred on Tuesday night.

Police and other emergency services were called to a property in Madden Place after reports of the caravan that was on fire in a backyard.

Part of the street was closed while fire crews responded to the blaze.

A Tasmania Police spokesman said the fire was reported at about 7.40pm.

No injuries were believed to have been sustained.

A Tasmania Fire Service spokeswoman said a fire watch would remain all night with an investigation to take place in the morning.

She said the fire was brought under control quickly.

8pm Tuesday 22 June

Police and emergency crews are at the scene of a caravan fire at Devonport. Madden Street is currently closed between William and Ronald Streets with police urging people to avoid the area.