Shooter allegedly hurt in struggle
The families of Invercargill shooting victims Verity McLean and Garry Duggan say they are overwhelmed by the kindness they have been shown.
Constable Ben McLean allegedly murdered Verity Ann McLean (nee Barber), 40, and fired at Duggan in Invercargill on Tuesday night.
A spokeswoman for both families, Jane Allan, said they were ‘‘all very shocked and are trying to cope with what has happened as best we can, as a family’’.
‘‘The family would like to acknowledge the Invercargill community for their outpouring of support and compassion.
‘‘We have been overwhelmed by kindness and understanding, from family, friends and people within the community, some of whom we have never met.
‘‘We would particularly like to thank and acknowledge the New Zealand Police and the Invercargill police, for the very difficult job they have to do.
‘‘Thank you also to St John Ambulance, hospital staff and Victim Support for their care and compassion.’’
The families asked for privacy and space ‘‘as we try to cope at this very difficult time’’.
Duggan allegedly fought and disarmed his policeman friend after he and Verity McLean were shot.
Several sources have confirmed there was a struggle.
Fairfax Media understands Duggan wrested the gun – understood to be a .22 rifle – away from McLean. McLean allegedly suffered face and head wounds before fleeing.
Duggan phoned police at 8.19pm and told them what happened.
About 40 minutes later, police said, McLean went to the Invercargill police station and ‘‘handed himself in’’.
Southern district commander Superintendent Paul Basham said earlier a firearm was recovered at the scene.
Ben McLean and Duggan, a truck driver in his 40s, were both in stable conditions in hospital.
Verity McLean, whose nickname is ‘‘Bert’’, was living with Duggan at the industrial site on Otepuni Ave, in the suburb of Newfield, at the time of the double shooting.
She and Ben McLean were understood to have recently split.
Duggan’s wife, Rachel, said the only people who ‘‘know what was going on’’ were the three involved.
‘‘No-one else was there apart from Ben, Bert and Garry. It’s their story to tell, not anyone else’s.’’
Garry Duggan’s brother-in-law, Murray Shuttleworth, said the situation was ‘‘traumatising for the whole family, [and] we just want to be left alone for it to sink in’’.
He had not seen his brother-inlaw yet, but said ‘‘we’re concerned for the health and wellbeing of those involved’’.
‘‘We are just upset by what has happened.’’
He described Garry as a ‘‘great guy’’. ‘‘I have known him for 40 years. He would do anything for anyone.
‘‘I feel sorry for the young children . . . It’s just a traumatic event.’’
Verity McLean seemed to be ‘‘good as gold’’ when she spoke to a friend earlier on Anzac Day.
At a bedside court hearing in Southland Hospital on Wednesday, Ben McLean was charged with Verity McLean’s murder and the attempted murder of Duggan. He was remanded in custody to May 18.
The Invercargill community has been in a state of shock after the shooting.
Ben McLean was a policeman in the city for nearly 10 years and worked on road safety campaigns.
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt said he felt police were treating the matter in a professional way, despite the accused man being ‘‘one of their own’’.
Investigators are searching three scenes in relation to the double shooting.
Basham said the interest’’ were:
The Otepuni Ave property where Constable Ben McLean allegedly shot dead Verity Ann McLean and fired at Garry Duggan.
A park area near Inglewood Rd and Tweed St.
Accused shooter Constable Ben McLean’s Scott St home.
Basham said a team of detectives and specialist forensic staff were trying to piece together the ‘‘tragic events’’ of Tuesday night.
‘‘We are still in the early stages of the inquiry, and it will take time for us to build an accurate, verified picture of this tragedy,’’ he said.
Forensic staff were expected to finish examining the inside of the Otepuni Ave property late yesterday. They would then focus on the outside.
Basham said an employment process had begun, which suggests Ben McLean could lose his job.
‘‘Our thoughts are with Verity’s family as they come to terms with their devastating loss,’’ Basham said.
Ben and Verity McLean have three children, who attended Verdon College.
Verdon College principal Jarlath Kelly called the incident a ‘‘tragic event for all of the families involved’’. ‘‘scenes of