Tara shooting: Teens to face court as cops at December tragedy offered counselling

Two teenagers accused of a shooting in a small Queensland town will front court after about nine shots were fired at vehicles and residents were evacuated by police.

Police declared an exclusion zone in the Western Downs town of Tara, about 250 kilometres west of Brisbane, on Wednesday afternoon, as specialist police swarmed from other regions.

Superintendent Ray Vine said police were “remarkably resilient” dealing with the second shooting-related incident in the region.Credit: Nine News

The emergency declaration was revoked about 11.30pm when four local boys, aged 14, 15, 16 and 16, were found just outside the cordon and taken into custody.

Tara is the town where constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold – who died last month during a shootout that killed six people at nearby Wieambilla – had been based.

Superintendent Ray Vine said police were “remarkably resilient” dealing with the second shooting-related incident in the region.

“There were certainly some officers that were involved in the Wieambilla shooting that were involved in this shooting ... we’re providing them support and counselling if they need it,” he said.

Police respond after shots were fired in the small Queensland town of Tara, west of Brisbane, on Wednesday afternoon.Credit: Twitter/Seven News

“Their heroics and their resolve to protect the community and maintain community safety given the events from 5½ weeks ago is remarkable and my thanks and respect go out to them.”

The two 16-year-old teens were denied bail and would appear in Dalby Children’s Court on Thursday afternoon.

They were charged with firing a weapon in public, dangerous conduct and unlawful possession of a weapon, along with causing damage.

The younger boys were taken into custody overnight but since released.

One was released without charge while the other was released under the Youth Justice Previsions related to a juvenile caution. Both were believed not to have fired any shots.

The firearm allegedly used was found in the ceiling of a Day Street home.

Vine said more than nine shots were fired and three vehicles were struck.

“Shots were discharged in the vicinity of police so the third and final vehicle that was struck [was] pulled outside the cordon near a police vehicle and the vehicle was struck at that particular time.

“There’s no suggestion that they were actively targeting police at this point in time.

“There were several discharged cartridges at the crime scene. We’ve got at least four holes at two vehicles, [in] two windscreens. There was also some ricochet so we believe [there was] in the vicinity of eight or nine shots.”

Vine said two of the teens were brothers and their mother had been spoken to but it was unclear if she was present at the time of the incident.

“Two of the alleged offenders have declined to be interviewed so in terms of their actual motivation at this stage is still unclear but that is part of the ongoing investigation,” he said.

“Guns are extremely dangerous. Any discharge of a firearm in a public place creates a significant risk to the community.

“People could have been seriously injured or worse as a result of this incident yesterday.

It’s complete reckless and unacceptable behaviour.”