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Tasmanian police officer shot dead at rural property during court-issued attempt to repossess house | Tasmanian police officer shot dead at rural property during court-issued attempt to repossess house |
(30 minutes later) | |
Officer was attending the property to execute a warrant and was shot as he approached the house, police allege | Officer was attending the property to execute a warrant and was shot as he approached the house, police allege |
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A “devastated” family is in mourning and an alleged offender is in custody after a senior Tasmanian police officer died in a shooting in the state’s north-west. | A “devastated” family is in mourning and an alleged offender is in custody after a senior Tasmanian police officer died in a shooting in the state’s north-west. |
The police commissioner, Donna Adams, said officers attended a residential property on Allison Road in North Motton at about 11am on Monday to execute a court-issued warrant to repossess the residence. They alleged the occupant of the home fatally shot a 57-year-old male officer as they approached the front of the house. | The police commissioner, Donna Adams, said officers attended a residential property on Allison Road in North Motton at about 11am on Monday to execute a court-issued warrant to repossess the residence. They alleged the occupant of the home fatally shot a 57-year-old male officer as they approached the front of the house. |
Adams said another officer then fired towards the hand of the alleged offender, who surrendered to police with assistance from a Special Operations Group. | |
The alleged offender was receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries on Monday afternoon and had not yet been formally charged. | The alleged offender was receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries on Monday afternoon and had not yet been formally charged. |
North Motton, a small rural township of about 400 people, is located 28km west of Devonport. | North Motton, a small rural township of about 400 people, is located 28km west of Devonport. |
The police officer who was shot was critically injured and died at the scene, Adams said. The alleged offender was not seriously injured. | The police officer who was shot was critically injured and died at the scene, Adams said. The alleged offender was not seriously injured. |
Adams said all Tasmanian police officers stood together in “shock and grief” as they tried to process what had occurred. | Adams said all Tasmanian police officers stood together in “shock and grief” as they tried to process what had occurred. |
The dead officer’s family had asked that he was not yet identified publicly, Adams said. | The dead officer’s family had asked that he was not yet identified publicly, Adams said. |
“This is absolutely devastating, and we are doing everything we can to support those involved and affected,” she said. | “This is absolutely devastating, and we are doing everything we can to support those involved and affected,” she said. |
“He was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community. | “He was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community. |
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“To see an officer tragically killed in these circumstances is truly shocking. What I can say is he was a genuine, dependable police officer who served the Tasmanian community well … My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.” | “To see an officer tragically killed in these circumstances is truly shocking. What I can say is he was a genuine, dependable police officer who served the Tasmanian community well … My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.” |
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public, but urged community members to avoid the area. Police remained at the scene on Monday afternoon. | Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public, but urged community members to avoid the area. Police remained at the scene on Monday afternoon. |
Wellbeing support was being provided to all officers and individuals affected by the incident, and a full professional standards investigation was under way, as was protocol for serious incidents involving police. | Wellbeing support was being provided to all officers and individuals affected by the incident, and a full professional standards investigation was under way, as was protocol for serious incidents involving police. |
Adams said safety was her “highest priority”, and every aspect of the police response would be reviewed. | Adams said safety was her “highest priority”, and every aspect of the police response would be reviewed. |
“This incident is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face every day,” she said. | “This incident is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face every day,” she said. |
“If changes need to be made, they will be made. | “If changes need to be made, they will be made. |
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“We are doing everything we can to support our officer’s colleagues and family, who are understandably devastated. While no other police were physically injured, the emotional impact is profound.” | |
Tributes flowed in from state and federal politicians after the “heartbreaking tragedy”. | Tributes flowed in from state and federal politicians after the “heartbreaking tragedy”. |
The acting prime minister and minister for defence, Richard Marles, said he was “saddened to hear of the tragic passing” of the officer in his line of duty. | The acting prime minister and minister for defence, Richard Marles, said he was “saddened to hear of the tragic passing” of the officer in his line of duty. |
“Our thoughts are with the officer’s family and community,” he posted on X. | “Our thoughts are with the officer’s family and community,” he posted on X. |
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, labelled it a “tragic day” for Tasmania and the nation. | The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, labelled it a “tragic day” for Tasmania and the nation. |
“The loss of a police officer in the line of duty is a solemn reminder of the risks our police face to keep us safe,” she said in a statement. | “The loss of a police officer in the line of duty is a solemn reminder of the risks our police face to keep us safe,” she said in a statement. |
“My thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues. We owe a debt to our police who willingly go towards danger to keep us safe. We can never forget their service and sacrifice.” | “My thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues. We owe a debt to our police who willingly go towards danger to keep us safe. We can never forget their service and sacrifice.” |
The premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, said the “love of an entire state” was with family and friends of the deceased officer. | The premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, said the “love of an entire state” was with family and friends of the deceased officer. |
“It is with enormous sadness that I can confirm a Tasmania Police officer has lost their life today in the line of duty,” he posted on X. | “It is with enormous sadness that I can confirm a Tasmania Police officer has lost their life today in the line of duty,” he posted on X. |
“To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues. The love of an entire state is with you today. | “To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues. The love of an entire state is with you today. |
“And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy.” | “And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy.” |
The coroner was notified and attended the scene. | The coroner was notified and attended the scene. |