Police Investigate Targeted Shooting in Berkeley Vale
A man is in a serious but stable condition after being shot twice at his home in Berkeley Vale on the NSW Central Coast. Police believe the shooting was a targeted attack and are searching for a male seen driving a silver utility with roof racks and a roll bar.
A 37-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition after being shot twice at his home in Berkeley Vale on the NSW Central Coast.
Police believe the shooting, which occurred at 6:15am, was a targeted attack. The victim was shot in the hand and torso and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being flown to hospital.
Investigation Underway
Tuggerah Lake Police District Commander Superintendent Chad Gillies said investigators were working on the belief that it was a targeted attack. "Investigators are working on the belief that it was a targeted attack," he said. "In relation to the motivation, we are yet to determine what that would be."
Police said a man entered the home and confronted the victim, and a number of shots were fired. Detectives want to speak with a driver seen in the area at the time of the shooting in a silver GWM 4WD utility with roof racks and a roll bar.
"We believe at this stage that there was one occupant inside that car responsible for the shooting, described as a male, late teens [to] early 20s, wearing a balaclava," Superintendent Gillies said.
Witnesses Sought
Superintendent Gillies said police were speaking to witnesses, including the victim's partner who was inside the house at the time of the shooting. "Our investigation is focused on identifying that vehicle and locating that vehicle, and clearly seeking information from members of the public in relation to identifying the person or persons responsible," Superintendent Gillies said.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage in and around the crime scene area. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Rare Occurrence in the Area
Superintendent Gillies said he could not confirm a link between this shooting and other recent incidents in Sydney. "It is an absolute concern when people are brandishing firearms and using them in these sorts of situations," he said. "This is a rare occurrence in this particular area, this type of violence, and I'm not prepared at this stage to elaborate whether this is linked to anything else."
Superintendent Gillies said his command had the resources to investigate the incident. "I can reassure the public, this is priority number one for me to resolve this matter," he said. "In terms of resourcing, we are adequately resourced to address this and investigate the circumstances of this incident."