GIRL SHOOTING CHARGE

MAN CHARGED: Shooting followed fight at supermarket

A DELORAINE man did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court charged over an incident in which an 11-year-old girl was shot in the head.

Nathan Richard Campbell, 25, of Stagg Court, allegedly caused grievous bodily harm to Phoenix Dawn Newitt on Tuesday night.

He was also charged with recklessly discharging a firearm.

Mr Campbell was remanded in custody by Magistrate Simon Brown to reappear tomorrow at 3pm.

Phoenix, who had bullet fragments lodged in her head and heart, was last night in a stable condition in Mel- bourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital after being flown out of Launceston.

“Recent discussions with the surgeon have confirmed that the little girl has stabil- ised,” Detective-Inspector John King said.

He said the outcome could have been “catastrophic”.

“It certainly didn’t look good to start with but it’s very, very pleasing to hear that her condition is improving.”

Insp King said the shooting in Stagg Court followed a physical fight between two women about an hour before

It certainly didn’t look good to start with but it’s very, very pleasing to hear that her condition is improving Inspector JOHN KING

in the Woolworths supermarket at Deloraine.

He said the girl’s mother, Sarah Newitt, the girl’s uncle, Zack Newitt, and the girl’s four-year-old male cousin

were in a car that travelled to Stagg Court, where Mr Campbell lived with his female partner — the woman involved in the initial scuffle.

Mr Campbell allegedly fired a small-calibre rifle at the car, with a bullet entering through the right-hand side passenger window and fragments striking the girl.

“Police will be alleging the 25-year-old man has discharged a firearm in Stagg Court in the direction of the vehicle that was parked in Stagg Court with two adults in the front and two children in the rear,” Insp King said.

“We’ll be alleging that the projectile has entered the right rear passenger side of the vehicle and fragmented and struck the girl in the right side of her face.”

Insp King said during the al- tercation at the supermarket, the 25-year-old man’s female partner had received a bite to the neck, while Sarah Newitt received a cut to the head.

“It initially started as a verbal dispute and became physical,” he said.

“One lady has received a bite mark and the other has received a cut to her head.”

Police and ambulance crews were called to the Deloraine Medical Centre at 9.10pm where the 11-year-old was being treated.

Insp King said the girl had suffered wounds from fragments to the upper neck and lower skull, with some fragments entering her heart after travelling internally.

“Our investigation is ongoing, we have a number of witnesses to speak to and we have police working in Laun- ceston, Deloraine and in Melbourne,” he said.

“The family is very traumatised. We have been in close contact with the girl’s mother and local detectives have travelled to Victoria to speak with her.”

Insp King said Mr Campbell knew the girl’s mother but was not a relation. He said the weapon was yet to be found but investigators believe a smallcalibre rifle was used.

Launceston CIB is reviewing CCTV footage from Woolworths and would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed an altercation in Stagg Court, Deloraine, on Tuesday night.

A Department of Education spokesman said the girl’s school, Deloraine Primary, had been deeply affected.

“This is a terribly sad time for the family and the school community,” he said.

“The department is ensuring professional support is being provided to all students and staff who may be affected.

“All schools have measures in place to ensure the welfare of staff and students is prioritised during difficult times such as this.”