Four arrested after New Norfolk drive by shooting, police stabbed and cars crashed
A drive-by shooting on Tuesday afternoon ignited a dramatic series events across the Derwent Valley, where a police officer and a member of the public were stabbed and four people were arrested after the violence poured out onto the street. FULL STORY + PHOTOS + VIDEO >>
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UPDATE, 12.15PM: Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby from Glenorchy CIB could only describe what went down at New Norfolk and Magra yesterday as “chaotic”.
While briefing the public on the events this morning, he repeatedly insisted police would be opposing bail for the four facing charged.
Insp Morrisby classed the Magra incident, a violent feud on Black River Road, as retribution for a drive-by shooting earlier that day, stating there was a “clear linkage between the two jobs”.
“(They) felt the need to take the law into their own hands.” He said.
He said the “stupid people” who attended the Black River Road address were a mix of victims and witnesses of the shooting earlier that afternoon.
Insp Morrisby described the stabbing of one of the attending officers and a civilian.
“Two females became involved in a physical altercation – one female has caused a wound to the other female’s upper-arm with a small knife,” he said.
“During that altercation – which lasted a couple of seconds – a police officer has selflessly gone in to separate the two parties, and he himself has sustained what’s thankfully a recoverable and relatively minor puncture-slash-cut wound.
“He was placed in a situation he didn’t ask to be placed into … and has subsequently been injured which is disappointing.”
He said the officer is recovering and is in good spirits.
The alleged offences were not family violence-related.
Insp Morrisby asserted that Tasmania Police would be following up with others who may have been involved.
UPDATE, 9.30AM: Tasmania Police have dealt out 18 charges to four people in relation to yesterday’s series of events in New Norfolk and Marga where shots were fired and two people, including a police officer, were stabbed.
In relation to the initial shooting at Benjamin Terrace, New Norfolk, Tasmania Police have charged a 31-year-old man with; two counts of aggravated assault, one common assault, one of recklessly discharging a firearm, two breaching an interim family violence order, two breach of bail and a firearm possession offence.
In relation to the disturbance at Back River Road, Magra a 39-year-old man has been charged with aggravated burglary, common assault, and destroy property.
A 31-year-old man was also charged with three counts of common assault, driving offences.
A 30-year-old woman charged with two counts of wounding.
All four held in custody to appear in court today.
EARLIER: A DRIVE-BY shooting and the stabbing of a police officer unfolded in a dramatic series of events in the Derwent Valley on Tuesday.
Police on Tuesday night had four people in custody after separate incidents at New Norfolk and Magra, which they believed were connected.
The first occurred when a gun was reportedly fired from a car at a house in Benjamin Terrace, New Norfolk about 12.15pm.
At least two occupants were at the home but no one was hurt, police said.
They said the parties were known to each other and a 31-year-old was taken into custody about 90 minutes later.
But police were later be forced to swarm on a property at Back River Rd, Magra after reports of a disturbance they believe was linked to the earlier shooting.
It was at that location, at about 5pm, that one police officer and one civilian suffered lacerations to the hand.
Police also reported that a vehicle was on fire at the property.
Uniform police and detectives with torches, and a police dog, combed the scene for evidence, including the examination of a damaged red hatchback at the entrance to a driveway, which was later towed from the scene.
SEE MORE PHOTOS + THE EARLIER ROLLING COVERAGE BELOW >>
Another vehicle, a utility, was also towed from the property.
A neighbour said she was reading when she heard a “loud thump” about 4.40pm and saw the red vehicle.
“A lot of youngish people got out and they were yelling at each other and screaming,’’ she said.
“The police have been looking around since 5 o’clock.”
The neighbour said she had lived at her property for almost 50 years.
“It’s a totally quiet neighbourhood most of the time,’’ she said.
Another neighbour said she had seen black smoke coming from the property.
Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley said it was a “terrible incident” which highlighted the dangers of policing.
Mr Riley said on average, four Tasmanian police officers were assaulted per week.
“Luckily, there were no fatal injuries, however, one of our members has gone home to their family at the end of their shift badly injured and having to deal with what could have eventuated,’’ he said.
“This is a cold reminder of the dangers of policing.”
After the earlier firearm incident, Glenorchy CIB Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said uniform police, forensics and ballistics were searching the house in question and talking with the occupants and their neighbours.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was used as part of efforts to find the alleged shooter.
Detective Inspector Morrisby said it was being treated as a targeted attack.
Police were searching for the firearm.
The incident comes a week after three gunshots were fired at a northern home in Hadspen in what was reported to be a targeted attack.
EARLIER, TUESDAY:
UPDATE 6.45PM: A SIGNIFICANT police presence remains at the scene of a disturbance at a property in the Derwent Valley.
There are several police vehicles and officers at Back River Rd, Magra.
A damaged small red hatchback can be seen at the entrance to a property.
A police dog is being utilised at the scene.
Two tow trucks have just arrived.
UPDATE, 6.15PM: POLICE remain on the scene of a disturbance at a property on Back River Rd at Marga, believed to be linked to the incident in New Norfolk earlier today.
The disturbance is between people known to each other and there is no threat to the community.
Several people involved in the disturbance have now been taken into custody. One civilian and one police officer have received minor lacerations to the hand.
Multiple police units remain on the scene conducting an investigation.
There are no firearms involved.
UPDATE, 5.55PM: A POLICE officer has been stabbed in a fray developing in New Norfolk.
A spokesperson confirmed that a police officer and a civilian have received minor injuries at Back River Rd, New Norfolk.
“Both have been transferred to hospital and are receiving treatment. Four people are now in custody,” they said.
Police said there is no danger to the public despite a mob gathering, and all persons involved are known to each other.
UPDATE, 5.30PM: POLICE units remain on the scene of a disturbance at a property on Back River Rd at Magra, between people known to each other.
A vehicle is reportedly on fire at the property.
There are no firearms involved.
UPDATE, 4.30PM: A MAN reported to have fired a gun at a house is now in custody, but the whereabouts of his firearm is unknown.
Police responded to several reports of a gunshot fired in the vicinity of Benjamin Terrace, New Norfolk at 12.15pm today.
Glenorchy CIB Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said reports indicated a sole man shot the gun from a silver Subaru Impreza with a black bonnet on Fitzgerald Crescent.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter joined the search to find the vehicle.
Detective Inspector Morrisby said no one was injured as a result.
“Police quickly took control of the scene and thanks to some really good, well co-ordinated work by the officers present at that time we were able to search a house based on some information that was received on Back River Rd,” he said.
At least two occupants were at the house, with no damage reported to the building after the event.
Detective Inspector Morrisby said a 31-year-old male was taken into custody about 90 minutes after the incident and will be questioned and likely charged this evening.
He said CIB, Forensics and Ballistics were still searching the house in question and talking with the occupants and their neighbours.
“Our initial inquiries would indicate that the parties are known to each other,” he said.
“Whilst we always have concerns where firearms are used in any sort of crime in the public, we’d like to reassure the public that this wasn’t a random attack, that this was very much a targeted attack between two known people.”
Detective Inspector Morrisby said the man’s motive was not yet known.
He said Tasmania Police had an initial description of the gun available to them and were making efforts to locate it.
The incident comes a week after three gunshots were fired at a northern home in Hadspen in what was reported to be a targeted attack.
The perpetrator was believed to have targeted the wrong house, waking and distressing the occupant at about 3am with the gunfire.
Detective Inspector Morrisby said despite the state experiencing two gun related incidents in close succession, it was “fortunate” for Tasmanians firearm related offences were not a common occurrence.
“The people from what I understand are clearly a little bit shaken about what occurred but at the same time I know they’re reassured by the fact that the suspect has been taken into custody and will be interviewed later tonight,” he said.
Anyone with information on the Subaru Impreza with a black bonnet or who saw or heard the event should contact Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
UPDATE, 2.15PM: POLICE have taken a man into custody in relation to a New Norfolk shooting earlier this afternoon.
Tasmania police said the man was found on Back River Rd, New Norfolk a short time ago.
More to come...
UPDATE, 2PM: DETECTIVE Inspector Troy Morrisby is expected to address media regarding the New Norfolk shooting at 3pm.
INITIAL: TASMANIA Police are responding to a report of gunshots at a property in Benjamin Terrace at New Norfolk a short time ago.
Tasmania Police statement confirmed no one has been injured and the parties involved are known to each other.
Police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter are searching the area for a silver Subaru Impreza with a black bonnet.
CIB, Forensics and Ballistics are also on the scene investigating.
Anyone with information should contact Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
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