Emergency services respond to fatal incident in state’s northwest
Tributes flow after Tasmania Police reveal the identity of the veteran police officer who was shot and killed at a rural Tasmanian property.
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The veteran police officer killed in a tragic shooting incident was Constable Keith Anthony Smith, Tasmania Police confirmed.
Constable Smith, 57, was a 25-year veteran of the force and his name has been released with the permission of the officer’s family, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams confirmed.
He was shot and killed at a rural property in North Motton on Monday morning as he and a fellow officer attended the premises to serve a court ordered warrant to repossess the home.
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith was a dedicated officer over a distinguished career.
He was highly regarded and admired by his colleagues.
“Keith was a respected and committed officer, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,” Commissioner Adams said.
“My heart goes out to Keith’s wife and family. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.
“The Blue Family will come together today, and over the next days and weeks, and will support the family and each other.”
The family of Constable Smith has asked for privacy at this time.
Constable Smith joined the police force in September 2000, graduating in May the following year.
He was a keen cyclist and participated in the 2011 charity trust bike ride.
Constable Smith served in the Northern District before being transferred to Ulverstone uniform in 2020.
He was a distinguished officer having received the Commissioner’s medal in 2011, 20-year clasp in 2021 and the National Police Service Medal in 2016.
Investigators and forensic officers worked late into the night battling difficult weather conditions to gather evidence, and were praised by Commissioner Adams for their efforts.
“While no other staff have been injured in this terrible incident, all will be impacted by their involvement in such a tragic event,” she said.
The alleged shooter is a 46-year-old North Motton man remains in Launceston General Hospital under police guard having undergone surgery for non life-threatening injuries.
No charges have been laid yet, police confirmed.
‘Your grief is shared by all Tasmanians’: Premier
The grief reverberating in the small tight-knit North-West Coast community is shared by all Tasmanians, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Premier said the state was grieving with Constable Smith’s loved ones.
“The heartbreak of this tragedy will be felt by the local community … and to every corner of this state,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Tasmania Police is not just a service, but is indeed a family and when one of their own is injured or falls, there’s a ripple throughout the Tasmanian police force.”
His message to police officers was the “love and support of Tasmania is with you”.
Police Minister Felix Ellis, who is also a local MP the area, said Constable Smith was a family man and “one of the best of us”.
“We want to say ‘we are there for you’,” he said to grieving family and friends.
He said support for those directly affected was being provided in the immediate aftermath, and there was a long-term commitment to the welfare of officers statewide.
Central Coast mayor Cheryl Fuller said we were thinking of all impacted today.
“We are a tight-knit community, not one of us are not impacted in some way,” she said.
‘Absolutely devastating’: Seasoned officer killed on duty
Tasmania’s leaders have called Monday “a dark day” after a well-respected seasoned police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty — the first fatal police incident in the state in 26 years.
The incident unfolded shortly after 11am on Monday, where police say the officer was attending a residential property on Allison Road in North Motton, North-West Tasmania, to execute a court-issued warrant to repossess the home.
Commissioner Donna Adams said as police approached the house, the officer was allegedly shot by the resident.
“He was critically injured in the incident and died at the scene,” Commissioner Adams said.
“This is absolutely devastating, and we are doing everything we can to support those involved and affected.”
The fallen officer’s family has asked that he is not yet identified publicly.
“He was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,” Commissioner Adams said.
“My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.”
Commissioner Adams confirmed the incident is being thoroughly investigated.
“Officer safety is my highest priority, and this incident is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face every day,” she said.
“We will review every aspect of this response, and if changes need to be made, they will be made.”
Wellbeing support is being provided to all officers and individuals affected by the incident.
“We are doing everything we can to support our officer’s colleagues and family, who are understandably devastated.”
“While no other police were physically injured, the emotional impact is profound.”
The alleged offender is in custody and has not yet been formally charged.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has taken to social media to share his enormous sadness over the death of a Tasmania Police officer in the line of duty.
“To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The love of an entire state is with you today.
“And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy.”
According to the national police memorial’s honour roll, this is the first officer who has died while on duty since 1999.
Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis also expressed his condolences to those affected.
“Today is a dark day for our police force and wider community,” Mr Ellis said.
“Tasmania Police is a family – and this sends shockwaves right through our community.
“Our hearts go out to the officer’s loved ones, our north west community, and our Tasmania Police family.
“Many will be hurting today, and I encourage those impacted to seek support.”
Labor leader Dean Winter also shared his condolences in the wake of the tragedy.
“Our police officers put themselves on the line for Tasmanians every day,” Mr Winter said.
“But today one officer won’t make it home to their family. Nothing could be more heartbreaking.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family, loved ones and the entire Tasmania Police community.
“Every police officer who serves our community deserves to return home safely.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said he was “saddened to hear of the tragic passing of a Tasmanian police officer in the line of duty today”.
“Our thoughts are with the officer’s family and community.”
EARLIER: Tasmania Police has confirmed a police officer has tragically died after being shot.
They say officers remain at the residential property on Allison Rd, North Motton in northwest Tasmania.
Police report a member of the public allegedly shot a police officer as they approached the house.
The spokesperson said another officer then discharged their firearm towards the alleged offender, who then surrendered to police.
They said the officer who was shot was critically injured and died at the scene.
It’s understood the alleged offender was not seriously injured.
Police confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public, but community members should avoid the area.
A crime scene has been established and officers are patrolling Allison Rd between intersections of Walkers Rd, Preston Rd and Saltmarshs Rd.
“This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected,” the spokesperson said.
“As is normal process in any serious incident involving police, a full professional standards investigation is underway.”
The coroner has been notified and is attending the scene, police say.
EARLIER: It’s understood a police officer has tragically lost his life following a shooting incident at a rural Tasmanian property.
Reportedly, the male officer died after the serious incident.
Another person, understood to be an offender, was also injured from the altercation.
Earlier, police said there was no ongoing threat to the wider community.
1pm: Emergency services are responding to a serious incident at North Motton in the state’s northwest this afternoon.
Police confirmed an officer and offender had been injured during the alleged altercation.
They say there’s no ongoing threat to the wider community.
Police are expected to provide further details on the situation later this afternoon.
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