Tasmania Police have charged a woman with attempted murder after a bullet struck an unmarked police car as detectives executed a search warrant at a rural property north-west of Hobart yesterday.
The shooting occurred around 4pm on Sunday when officers entered the residential property in Collinsvale as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
“Upon entering the property and driving through the front gate, officers became aware that something had struck their unmarked vehicle,” Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said.
A single bullet hole was later found near the right-hand wheel guard of the vehicle.
The unmarked vehicle was being followed into the property by two other police vehicles, one of which was marked.
A 37-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were arrested at the scene. Both were found in possession of firearms.
The woman has been charged with attempted murder and multiple firearms offences. The man faces firearms charges and attempted aggravated assault.
Police allege the woman fired a .22 rifle from near the house, with the shot travelling approximately 60 metres down the driveway.
“Investigators currently believe that the residents may not have realised it was police entering their property,” Bodnar said.
“Regardless, it’s reprehensible that officers were placed at such risk while performing their duties.”
“This incident could have had tragic consequences and it was extremely fortunate that no one was physically harmed.”
Two other people present at the property were arrested but later released without charge.
The three detectives involved – a sergeant and two constables – were wearing protective vests but dressed in plainclothes. All three remained at work following the incident.
“I spoke with the detective sergeant this morning. He’s quite stoic,” Bodnar said.
The incident follows a series of fatal shootings involving police across Australia, including the deaths of two constables at Wieambilla in Queensland and Constable Keith Smith in northern Tasmania in June.
“What it does reinforce is the fact that policing is a risky business, it’s dangerous and unfortunately there’s an element of uncertainty when it comes to what we do in the community,” Bodnar said.
“Despite our best planning, there’s always an element of uncertainty and there’s an element of risk.”
The matter is now before the courts.
