Community gets behind Phoenix
THE Deloraine community and its primary school have thrown their support behind the 11-year-old girl who was shot in the face on Tuesday night.
Principal Jeanagh Viney said the whole school community was focused on Phoenix Newitt and wishing her the best.
“Our upper primary students have made individual cards for Phoenix, while one class is making a large, colourful mural,” she said.
“As principal, I have been in contact with Phoenix’s family to let them know that the school community is thinking of her and sending our most positive thoughts to them all.”
Also Suzie Haydon, of nearby Reedy Marsh, has established a GoFundMe online page to help Phoenix and her family.
Titled “Phoenix, 11, needs our support Now”, it states that “This little Deloraine girl was shot and needs our community support to get through what lays ahead”.
“Please try to imagine how you would feel if it were your daughter, grandbaby, or sister.
“[Phoenix is] beautiful, talented, friendly and greatly loved by all her family and friends.
“We all hope for little Phoenix to know she is safe and loved by many xxx”
The campaign aims to raise $120,000.
Nathan Richard Campbell, 27, of 6 Stagg Court, is alleged to have caused grievous bodily harm to Phoenix and was also charged with recklessly discharging a firearm.
Mr Campbell was remanded in custody by Magistrate Simon Brown on Wednesday to reappear today at 3pm.
The Mercury understands that Mr Campbell was not a registered firearm owner and police are investigating.
Police have been unable to locate the firearm which they believe has now been disposed of.
Launceston detectives returned from Melbourne yesterday after travelling there on Wednesday to speak to the girl’s mother and have obtained a statement.
Phoenix, who had bullet fragments lodged in her head and heart, was last night reported to be in a stable but still very serious condition in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
Inspector John King said the shooting in Stagg Court followed a physical fight between two women about an hour before 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 other 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 window and fragments striking the girl.
Police were yesterday still gathering evidence at the scene and have repeated their call for witnesses. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppers tas.com.au. Anyone wanting to donate should go to https:// www.gofundme.com/afpd3aphoenix-11-needs-oursupport-now