’A BULLET WAS SHOT INTO OUR HOME’
Couple frustrated over NT Police’s inaction and say shooter needs to be held to account
LYNETTE Longstaff went to hang up washing on May 29 a little after 8.30pm in the spare bedroom.
In there she found a white powder coating the couch.
The bed and floor in the next bedroom were covered in glass and there was a hole in window and wall.
Ms Longstaff quickly realised a gun had been shot into her Girraween home.
She called police and her husband John Longstaff, who was working a night shift.
Police took photos, the forensics team came out the next day and took samples and used a laser to determine where the bullet had been shot from.
But two months on the investigation has wrapped up without someone being held responsible.
The Longstaffs say they had to chase cops for information and only a fortnight a go were told that the case had been finalised.
A police spokeswoman said there was insufficient evidence and all avenues of inquiry had been exhausted.
“There are no suspects or witnesses,” the spokeswoman said. “Forensic examination of the bullet located in the victim’s house was not suitable for microscopic examination, meaning, that even if a suspect and or weapon were identified the bullet could not be matched to the firearm.”
The spokeswoman confirmed there were residents in the area that were licensed firearm owners but there was no evidence to obtain a search warrant.
“The trajectory of the bullet was ascertained from examination of the scene by forensic members,” she said.
“Forensics did not identify a property from which the bullet was allegedly fired, rather, forensics identified a direction which included several neighbouring properties within that range.” Ms Longstaff said it was frustrating that police had just accepted that no one had let off the gun.
“The firearm has been discharged,” she said.
“They know from which block, make the block owner accountable.
“It just seems like nobody is going to admit to pulling a trigger, used a firearm illegally, so stiff.”
The Longstaffs are just grateful their kids and grandkids were not visiting at the time.
“I don’t think it’s someone who set out to fire a bullet through the house,” she said.
“But even so to not be mindful that there’s people in houses is a bit worrying.
“We have kids and grandkids, even us walking around.
“To think that you could have ended up with a bullet in your head is a bit daunting.”