NT Police charge men, aged 19 and 22, after alleged shooting attack in Coconut Grove, Darwin

Two men have been charged after a late-night shooting in a northern Darwin suburb that police allege was ‘targeted’ – with the whereabouts of the weapon still unknown.

Police at the scene of a shooting in Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Latest - February 5, 12.15pm: Two men have been charged after an alleged firearm attack in Darwin’s northern suburbs in which one man was shot in both legs – with the whereabouts of the weapon still unknown.

NT Police on Wednesday confirmed two men, aged 19 and 22, had been charged after the incident, in which a 23-year-old man was shot, on Litchfield Ct, Coconut Grove on February 3.

Both have been charged with counts of aggravated assault, theft, and recklessly endangering life - aggravated.

Court dates are expected to be released on Wednesday, with both men now remanded in custody.

A 22-year-old woman, who had been arrested on Tuesday, was released “pending further investigation”, the spokesperson said.

It has been reported the 23-year-old man was shot in both legs and may have suffered a femur fracture.

He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

Police previously alleged the attack was “targeted” and that both the men and woman knew the victim and had been waiting outside the victim’s home before the incident.

The trio were arrested in Katherine about seven hours after the shooting.

Police continue to call for information in relation to the whereabouts of the alleged firearm that was used and anyone with information can call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25034096.

Trio arrested in Katherine

Earlier - February 4, 11.30am: A trio have been arrested in Katherine after a man was gunned down outside a Darwin home.

NT Police confirmed on Tuesday morning two men, aged 19 and 22, as well as a 22-year-old woman were arrested at 4am, seven hours after the shooting.

Police continue to investigate after a 23-year-old man was shot at Litchfield Court at Coconut Grove at about 7pm, Monday.

Police said the man was shot in both legs and while his injuries were said not to be serious, he was still undergoing treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital Tuesday morning.

He was said to be in a stable condition.

Police said the vehicle was not stolen, rather “being borrowed” by a driver who was not the registered owner.

Witnesses told this masthead three people exited a vehicle before a man was shot in the street.

They told this masthead the man was conscious and could be seen writhing in pain as he lay.

Police have alleged it was a “targeted attack”, with the offenders known to the victim.

Police have ruled out an organised crime connection.

St John’s Ambulance Service NT said the injured man was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious, but stable condition.

Police at the scene of a shooting in Coconut Grove.

The victim suffered from pellet damage to both legs, and likely had a fractured femur after the shooting.

The type of firearm used remains unclear, although police say they have not ruled out a homemade device.

During a Tuesday morning press conference Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said the three people involved in the shooting left the scene in a black Mazda 3.

“Through ongoing investigations, police later identified that vehicle travelling through Adelaide River, and just prior to 4am this morning, front line members from Katherine, along with northern investigation members in consultation with our officer in charge of the tactical response group set up a vehicle control point just north of Katherine.

“Using tyre deflation devices they stopped that particular vehicle and took three people into custody,” he said.

The trio remain in Katherine watch house while investigators from Northern Investigations and major crime travel to the town to interview the suspects.

The vehicle remains in Katherine where it will be examined by forensics officers.

Mr Wurst said it appeared the matter was “targeted” because the three alleged offenders were waiting outside the victim’s home when he was shot.

He said there was no risk to the public after the incident.

Police did not dispute an account provided by a Litchfield Court resident that after the shooting, one or a number of the assailants punched and kicked the man as he lay bleeding.

“There’s information to suggest there was another weapon brandished, an edged weapon,” he said.

“Whether there were further assaults, that’s yet to be determined. We need to speak to the victim once he’s been released from hospital.”

Police confirmed “multiple edged weapons” were found within the vehicle despite the firearm still being at large.

He also didn’t rule out a suggestion from another Litchfield Court resident that the alleged shooters had staked out the premises and shot the man after he arrived home.

Anyone with details contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Initial - February 3, 10pm: Offenders armed with a firearm are at large and a man has been rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds after a shooting attack in Darwin northern suburbs on Monday evening police say was ‘targeted’.

Northern Territory Police have confirmed a man has been taken to hospital after being shot in Litchfield Court at Coconut Grove.

While police have confirmed the man suffered injuries to his legs in the shooting, understood to have occurred around 8.40pm, an NT News source says he also suffered stomach wounds and was unconscious at the scene when emergency services arrived.

Describing the incident as a ‘serious assault with a weapon’, NT Police the offenders, who they believe are known to the victim, fled the scene.

Police at the scene of a shooting in Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove on Monday, February 3, 2025.

“At this stage, police believe it was a targeted attack and there is no risk to the general public,” a police spokesman said.

“A police operation is currently underway involving multiple units and police advise the public to avoid the area surrounding Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove.”

Police at the scene of a shooting in Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove on Monday, February 3, 2025.

The condition of the victim is at this stage unknown.

An NT News reporter at the scene of the incident said there were at least three police vehicles on scene, with police tape cordoning off public housing units.

A number of detectives have also arrived at the scene with activity centred around the renal centre end of the public housing complex, where the shooting is understood to have occurred.

Originally published as NT Police charge men, aged 19 and 22, after alleged shooting attack in Coconut Grove, Darwin