Man staggers for help after being shot near Bell Post Hill oval

A GEELONG man was shot in the leg near a Bell Post Hill sports oval on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old, who staggered to a property up to 1km away to seek help, was taken to the Geelong hospital where he was yesterday in a stable con- dition. Police and paramedics were called to a rural stretch of Avonlea Rd shortly before 11.30pm Saturday.

Detective Senior Constable John McKinnon said police believed the man had been shot near the oval at the nearby Myers St Reserve.

“The male was shot, we believe, in the vicinity of Bell Post Hill football oval about 11.30pm. He was shot in the lower leg and suffered non-life threatening injuries,” he said.

“He’s then made his way to a neighbouring property where police were called. It appears he had walked to the oval.”

Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman Lisa Hind said the injured man was taken to Geelong hospital in a stable condition with “lower body injuries”.

Earlier this month the Geelong Advertiser revealed more than 40 firearms had been stolen and moved into the black market during the past year.

The Crime Statistics Agency said 42 firearms were reported stolen in 2016 — and a further dozen pinched already this year.

The local firearm theft statistics coincide with fears a government department leak of gun owners’ details late last year could have fallen into the hands of criminals.

In February last year, 36year-old Paul Cochrane was gunned down on Anakie Rd in Bell Post Hill before succumbing to his injuries in the middle of the road, about 11pm.

Then, in March, a 23-yearold woman was shot in the abdomen in the vicinity of the Bell Post shopping centre.

Anyone with information on stolen firearms should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.