In ‘total shock’ over shooting

INVERCARGILL: The families of the victims of the Anzac Day double shooting in Invercargill are in ‘‘total shock’’ as they try to cope with the tragedy.

Verity McLean, also known by the nickname ‘‘Bert’’, died in the shooting and Garry Duggan suffered several gunshot wounds.

Mrs McLean’s estranged husband, Constable Ben McLean (47), has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

It is understood the McLeans, who have three children aged between 9 and 19, separated about a month ago, The New Zealand Herald has been told.

Mr Duggan, it is understood, was also separated from his partner and had been living with Mrs McLean at the Otepuni Ave property where the shooting took place shortly after 8pm on Tuesday.

A statement from the family of Mrs McLean was released yesterday.

‘‘We, as the family of Ben and Verity McLean, acknowledge the tragic circumstances following the events of Tuesday night in Invercargill,’’ family spokes woman Jane Allan said.

‘‘We are all very shocked and are trying to cope with what has happened as best we can as a family.’’ The family thanked the Invercargill community for its outpouring of support, as well as police for the ‘‘very difficult job they have to do’’.

‘‘We have been overwhelmed by kindness and understanding, from family, friends and people within the community, some of whom we have never met,’’ Ms Allan said.

A McLean family friend said yesterday everybody was in ‘‘total shock’’.

‘‘There’s actually not a word in the English language to sum it up: tragic, stunned, shock . . . they just don’t quite cover it,’’ they said.

‘‘What sucks is the people closest to them can’t make head nor tail of it.

‘‘This is nothing like anyone down here has ever dealt with before. It’s incredibly hard for everybody.

‘‘Whatever has happened, poor Bert [Mrs McLean] did not deserve this.’’

McLean and Mr Duggan remain in Southland Hospital.

Mr Duggan suffered a fractured skull while allegedly struggling with McLean, NZME was told.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham said yesterday a team of detectives and specialist forensic staff were ‘‘working to piece together the tragic events of Tuesday night’’.

A postmortem examination was due to be carried out and the results would be ‘‘factored into the ongoing investigation’’.

Three ‘‘scenes of interest’’ were being examined, including the Otepuni Ave property, Tweed St playground about 200m away, and McLean’s residence at Scott St, just outside town.

Forensic staff were yesterday examining the inside of the Otepuni Ave property, located in an industrial area.

‘‘They will then focus on the immediate area around the property,’’ Supt Basham said.

A number of separate investigative processes are ongoing, including the criminal investigation, which has oversight of outofdistrict police staff and from which reports will also be prepared for any coronial inquiry.

An employment process was also under way, while the Independent Police Conduct Authority would ‘‘proactively oversee’’ the police investigation.

It is understood McLean was a teacher before he joined the police about 10 years ago.

He taught science at a Southland high school but was no longer registered.

The Ministry of Education refused to comment on his teaching background.

Former pupils have expressed their shock at the arrest of McLean, who was popular during his time teaching.

‘‘He was one of the best,’’ one expupil said on Facebook.

‘‘He was the cool teacher,’’ another added. — NZME

❛There’s actually not a word in the English language to sum it up: tragic, stunned, shock . . . they just don’t

quite cover it❜