Tasmania Police are searching for those behind a spate of firearms incidents in Hobart’s northern suburbs that have left multiple people injured.
Commander Jason Elmer said investigators were frustrated that victims and witnesses were withholding crucial information following the shootings.
“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,” he said.
“Despite that, we continue to investigate the matters with a view to arresting those persons and bringing them before the court so that they can be held to account for their actions.”
The shootings occurred 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 police believe at least two of the incidents are linked and involve people known to one another.
“These were not random attacks,” he said. “These are targeted incidents.”
The most recent shooting happened yesterday afternoon when a confrontation between two parties ended with a man being shot once in the lower leg.
Police are searching for a silver or blue 2001 Kia in connection with that incident.
Commander Elmer confirmed 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,” he said.
“[They] are very dangerous not only for a victim, someone who is shot by one of them, but also to the user.”
“They are quite often quite crude in how they are made and can be very volatile weapons.”
No arrests have been made and all three investigations remain active.
Despite the violence, Commander Elmer said there was no broader threat to the community.
“Any firearm could obviously cause a lethal wound to a person,” he said.
“It would not appear at this point that that was the intention of these shootings.”
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We believe that there are persons who have some crucial information that could go a long way towards solving these matters,” Commander Elmer said.
Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers or to Tasmania Police on 131 444.
