2019 Darwin shooting
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
| 2019 Darwin shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Date | 4 June 2019 |
Attack type | Mass shooting, spree shooting |
| Weapons | Pump action shotgun[1] |
| Deaths | 4[2] |
| Injured | 1[2] |
On 4 June 2019, a mass shooting occurred in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The Northern Territory Police confirmed that at least four people were killed in the incident and another one was injured. A 45-year-old male suspect was arrested, no charges have been laid yet.[2][4][5]
Attack
The attacks occurred over multiple locations starting at 5:39pm.[5] According to one news source:[6]
“Shots had rung out near Finnis Street just outside the CBD before the man moved to other locations – including the Buffalo Club, Gardens Hill Crescent, the Palms Motel, a Coles Express and Jolly Street in Woolner.“
Witnesses say the gunman entered the Palms Motel on McMinn Street, Darwin and used a pump-action shotgun to shoot through a guestroom door.[7] According to sources, around 20 shots were fired by the suspect. Witnesses also noted that while in the motel the gunman went from “room-to-room” while screaming out “Alex”.
Police responded to the incident and the city centre near the motel remained in lock-down for an hour after the attack.[8] The media reports that about 100 police were involved[9] including officers from the Territory Response Group.[10] Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw described the weapon as "a prohibited 12-gauge pump-action shotgun",[11] and said it may have been stolen as far back as 1997.[12] Police say that the suspect used 7 vehicles to visit other places located in the city.[3]
Suspect
After the motel shooting, the suspect fled in a Toyota utility and remained at large for about an hour before being detained[2] after notifying police of his location at the intersection of McMinn and Daly Streets.[5] At the time of his arrest, the man, a suspected member of a motorcycle gang who had been released from prison in January, was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.[5][13] The suspect was also taken to Royal Darwin Hospital after being tasered.[5]
The suspect has been identified by the media as Benjamin Glenn Hoffman, age 45. Kershaw, said that Hoffman had been released from prison on parole in January 2019. He had been serving a 6-year prison sentence, eligible for parole after 4 years. After this he committed a minor violation of his parole conditions, breaking curfew by less than an hour, and as a result he was imprisoned again for two weeks, being released in early May. During his parole he had been drug tested, with all results negative.
As of 5 June 2019, no charges had yet been laid. The suspect's motivation remains unclear, but Kershaw said the suspect may have been looking for certain individuals. One of the individuals may have been called "Alex". Police believe "Alex" was in another state at the time of the attack.[5]
Victims
The victims of the crime were all male: one man was reportedly killed at the motel, one at Buff Club, one at Gardens Hill Crescent, and one at Jolly Street.[11]
In addition, at the motel, an unnamed woman who was shot multiple times in the legs.[8] She was helped by a witness at the scene, and later taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.[5][13]
Reactions
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, commented that the shooting was not terrorism-related.[8] Michael Gunner, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, stated that his thoughts were with the families and friends of the victims, stating “This is not the Darwin we know”.[13]
See also
References
- ^ McGuirk, Rod. "Gunman out on parole kills 4 in Australian city of Darwin". ABC News (United States). ABC News Internet Ventures. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Darwin shooting: Up to five people killed in CBD, 45yo alleged gunman arrested by NT Police". ABC News (Australia). 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Alleged shooter was let go from roofing job just days before rampage". news.com.au. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Darwin shooting: At least four killed, others injured". Seven News. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Smith, Emily; Garrick, Matt (5 June 2019). "Alleged Darwin gunman identified but motive still unclear". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "'This is not the Darwin we know': Suspect in deadly shooting was out on parole". au.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ Cave, Damien (4 June 2019). "Gunman Kills 4 in Darwin, Australia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "Four killed in northern Australia shooting". BBC. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ Vanovac, Neda (4 June 2019). "'Terrible act of violence': Four shot dead, another injured by gunman in Darwin". ABC News (Australia).
- ^ Visentin, Zach Hope, Georgina Mitchell, Lisa (4 June 2019). "Multiple fatalities, man arrested after shooting in Darwin". The Sydney Morning Herald.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "'Banned shotgun' used in Darwin mass shooting". 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ Noyes, Jenny (5 June 2019). "Darwin shooting LIVE: Four people dead, suspect in custody". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ a b c Martin, Lisa (4 June 2019). "Darwin shooting: four people dead as police reveal suspect was on parole". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 June 2019.