Newtown shooting: Police don’t believe it was a random attack.
Man, 41, shot in neck as police appeal to public to find shooter
THE victim of a suburban shooting which sent parts of Newtown into lockdown was last night recovering from surgery.
Police swarmed on the area around Victory and Ethel Sts just after midnight on Monday where a man, 41, had been shot with a small calibre firearm on the right side of his neck.
He was rushed to Toowoomba Hospital and underwent surgery for non-life threatening injuries, and was last night in a stable condition.
Detectives believe the shooting incident occurred sometime between 11.45pm and 12.10am and suspect it was a targeted attack, allaying concerns to the wider public.
The victim yesterday refused to co-operate with police and despite an extensive doorknock for witnesses and help from the public were yet to identify a motive yesterday.
Police with metal detectors returned to the area throughout the morning searching for the projectile or bullet casing, possibly fro a small calibre firearm, but none was located.
Darling Downs Detective Inspector Lew Strohfeldt said information from the public would be critical in resolving the incident.
“The person in question is not being very co-operative with us at this point in time and we are seeking assistance of the public or anyone who heard any noises, or may have heard a gunshot or arguing anything at all - in the area of Ethel and Victory St any time last night (to come forward),” he said.
Police believe an argument or disturbance may have been heard from as early as 11pm, and nearby residents or passers-by may have heard something.
Inspector Strohfeldt said while there did not appear to be a risk to the wider community in light of the shooting, gun crime was a concern to authorities.
“It’s extremely concerning. We don’t believe it is a random attack,” he said.
“We believe that the victim may well know the perpetrator of the offence. We really don’t think it was random at all.”
Report any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.