A veteran Tasmanian police officer has been shot dead while attempting to issue a summons to repossess a home near Ulverstone in the state’s north-west
The male officer, aged 57, was attending an isolated rural property on Allison Road in North Motton around 11am when he was killed.
Police Commissioner Donna Adams revealed the un-named cop, with 25 years of experience, said he was with officers from the Special Operations Group and a senior sergeant when they attended the address.
She said it was routine job, with no expectation of a confrontation, and the Special Operations Group had remained at the end of the driveway.
But as the constable knocked on the door beside the sergeant, it’s believed the homeowner opened fire through the door, fatallying striking the officer.
The sergeant is believed to have opened fire and shot the gunman before he was overpowered and arrested.
‘All Tasmanian Police officers stand together in shock and in grief as we try to process what’s happened this morning,’ said Commissioner Adams.
‘The safety of our officers is our number one priority and to see an officer tragically killed in these circumstances is truly shocking.’
A male police officer was shot dead in the line of duty on Monday
The officer was attending a property in North Motton as part of routine enquiries
Tasmania Police stressed there was ‘no ongoing threat to the wider community’.
Police swarmed the area, which is just south of Ulverstone and is home to approximately 425 people.
In a statement, Tasmania Police said they remained at the scene and confirmed an officer was ‘tragically’ shot.
‘A member of the public allegedly shot a police officer as the officer approached the house,’ they said.
‘Another police officer consequently discharged their firearm towards the alleged offender, who then surrendered to the police.’
The officer died at the scene and the gunman was not seriously injured. The visit to the property was part of ‘routine duties’, police said.
A crime scene has been set up at the property, and police say there is no threat to the wider community.
‘This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected,’ police said.
Police swooped on the Allison Road property
A full police professional standards investigation is underway, and the coroner will also attend the scene.
The shooting echoes the Wieambilla massacre in rural Queensland, 300 km west of Brisbane, on December 12 , 2022, when two police officers and a civilian were murdered by three conspiracy theorists in an ambush on their remote property.
