By Mitchell Clarke
A shooting in Emerald last year is believed to have been a targeted attack, despite the victim not knowing the offenders.
A 53-year-old man was shot in the leg when three men forced their way into a property on Cornish Road in the early hours of 10 June 2019.
Once inside, they allegedly threatened the three occupants of the house with a firearm and made demands for cash.
The victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries while two other people were not physically injured.
Armed Crime Squad detectives believe the three offenders left the property, believed to have driven off in a white Kia Sorrento, displaying false plates ‘100 4XI’.
That Kia was later seen travelling inbound on the Monash Freeway, with a second vehicle, a 2012 grey Mitsubishi Outlander, driving in close convoy.
Police are working towards the notion that the vehicles have subsequently travelled north along the Hume Highway, with the white Kia being seen in Goulburn two days later, when it was involved in a petrol drive-off.
Armed Crime Squad acting inspector Paul Lloyd said investigators are confident that someone out there knows who is responsible for the shooting.
“We do believe this was a targeted attack, however the victim did not know the offenders so we’re keen to try and determine why the shooting has occurred and what the motivations were,” A/Insp Lloyd said.
“There will be people out there who know exactly why this shooting occurred and who is responsible, and we’d like to speak to those people.
“Any incident involving a firearm is extremely concerning to us and is of course alarming for the victims.
“They are extremely lucky that the injuries weren’t more serious or even fatal.”
Police would like to speak with anyone who recognises the person or the two vehicles or saw them in the area at the time of the offences.
“We know they have head north to Goulburn and we’re keen to know if they stopped anywhere along the way,” A/Insp Lloyd added.
“The fact they’ve gone on and continued to commit offences interstate highlights how important it is that we locate them and prevent further harm to the community.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
