A 22-year-old man has been charged following a shooting in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
The man is facing wounding and firearms-related charges in connection with a shooting in Gagebrook on Sunday night, where a victim sustained a leg wound.
He has been detained to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
The arrest comes amid police frustration over victims and witnesses withholding crucial information about three separate shooting incidents that occurred in Bridgewater and Gagebrook between late December and early January.
“We believe that the victims in these matters and, in some cases, the witnesses are withholding important information for investigators, including the identity of the offenders involved,” Commander Jason Elmer said.
Police confirmed shootings took place in Bridgewater on December 28, Gagebrook on December 29 and again in Gagebrook on January 4.
All three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released from hospital.
Commander Elmer said investigators believe at least two of the incidents are linked and involve people known to each other.
“These were not random attacks,” he said. “These are targeted incidents.”
Of particular concern to authorities is the confirmation that at least one of the shootings involved a 3D-printed firearm.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of seizures by police during our searches and the use of these 3D-printed firearms,” Commander Elmer said.
“[They] are very dangerous not only for a victim, someone who is shot by one of them, but also to the user.”
Despite the violence, Commander Elmer reassured the community there was no broader threat to public safety.
Investigations into all three incidents remain active, with police urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers or Tasmania Police on 131 444.
