Attack so close ‘it makes you sick’

Police believe shooting at Bridgewater was targeted

RESIDENTS have spoken of the terror of a shooting at Bridgewater that has left a young father fighting for his life in hospital.

The 24-year man was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital for life-saving surgery after he was shot at a unit complex on Albion Rd about 8.20pm on Sunday.

Police say he had been shot in the stomach at close range in a targeted attack outside his grandmother’s unit.

Detective Inspector Craig Joel said the shooting was a brutal and callous crime.

“The man was alone . . . he’s been surprised in the front yard of this house,” he said.

Neighbour Margaret Webb said she felt sickened by the attack.

She told the Mercury she did not hear the gunshot but a heavy thud as the victim fell against her window.

“I didn’t hear the bang, just lots of noises,” she said.

“It makes you feel sick to think it was so close.”

A older male neighbour, who did not want to be named, said there needed to be more lighting in the unit complex as as it could be frightening for the elderly residents.

Police believe the shooter jumped out of a dark-coloured car, confronted the victim in the courtyard of the complex and shot him with a shotgun.

Det Insp Joel said the attack lasted “only a matter of seconds”.

“The 24-year-old man who’s been shot is known to police, that’s why we’re quite comfortable that it’s a targeted attack,” he said.

Insp Joel said at this stage the man was likely to recover but he was in an induced coma and unable to speak to police.

“We’ll be monitoring that and hope to catch up with him and speak to him, if he indeed recovers . . . he’s in a very critical condition,” he said.

Later yesterday, police said they believed a burnt-out blue Holden Commodore found a few streets away in Viola Cres was connected to the shooting.

No weapon has been found and at this stage police have no suspects.

Specialist forensic officers combed the scene looking for evidence yesterday morning.

A marquee was set up in the courtyard of the public housing development as about a dozen police worked to piece together what happened.

One officer held a string line and appeared to be checking a line of sight from the bin area at the front of the complex to the spot where the man was believed to have been shot.

Det Insp Joel said support was being offered to the victim’s partner and family.

Anyone who saw the car or has with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.