Three people have been charged over a public place shooting on the state’s Mid North Coast last month.
About 10.55pm on Wednesday 23 August 2023, officers from Mid North Coast Police District were called to a property on Trade Circuit, Wauchope, following reports of shots fired.
Officers from Mid North Coast Police District attended and found several shots had been fired into a vehicle and building, before a man was seen fleeing in a light-coloured sedan.
Three adults were at the premises at the time; however, no one was physically injured.
A short time later, police were called to a property on High Street, Wauchope, after reports another shot was fired.
Two adults were home at the time; and again, no one was physically injured.
Initial inquiries have led police to believe the incidents were linked and targeted.
A crime scene was established by Mid North Coast Police and Strike Force Shellshear was commenced to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following lengthy inquiries, a 53-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were arrested at Taree Police Station last Wednesday (20 September 2023).
It will be alleged that at the time of the shooting the man was driver of the vehicle with the woman being a passenger.
Both were charged with two counts of discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm and one count of conceal serious indictable offence.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Taree Local Court the following day (Thursday 21 September 2023), where they were remanded in custody to re-appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Thursday 23 November 2023.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Friday 22 September 2023) detectives arrested a 33-year-old man during a vehicle stop on Bateau Bay Road, Shelly Beach, where it will be alleged, he discharged a firearm at both locations.
The man was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with six offences including:
- fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property x 2
- fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety
- possess loaded firearm public place
- fire firearm in or near public place x 2
He was bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 23 September 2023) where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Port Macquarie Local Court this Monday (25 September 2023).
