Shit score but big news for Australia.
www.news.com.au
At least five people have been killed and a couple injured. Shooter has be apprehended.
Motive unknown but the shooter has been identified as a 45 year old, possibly out on parole:
UPDATE:
www.abc.net.au
Accused gunman was ‘well-known’ to police
Four men have been killed and a woman has been rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to her legs after a Darwin man allegedly went on a shooting rampage across the city last night.
Northern Territory Police arrest man, multiple people confirmed dead
JUNE 5, 2019 8:17am
At least five people have been killed and others are injured after a Darwin man allegedly went ...
NEWS1:04
Darwin shooting rampage, five killed, several injured
Natalie Wolfe and Phoebe Loomes
news.com.au
Four men have been killed and a woman has been rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to her legs after a Darwin man allegedly went on a shooting rampage across the city last night.
Parts of the city were thrown into lockdown just after 5.45pm as police scoured the city to find the alleged gunman, armed with a sawn-off shotgun.
One witness, Matt Hames, who was at a nearby hotel at the time, said there were “surreal scenes” as alleged gunman “fired upon everyone”.
“He was allegedly walking around screaming out for ‘Alex’,” he told the Today show this morning.
Speaking at a press conference last night, NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the alleged gunman, who can now be named as Darwin man Ben Hoffman, had been out on parole after being freed from jail in January.
Mr Kershaw said Mr Hoffman was well-known to police and was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet as he evaded officers through Darwin.
After being on the run for more than an hour, the 45-year-old called the NT Police Duty Superintendent and asked to be placed in protective custody, Mr Kershaw confirmed.
“We do believe he was trying to hand himself in,” Mr Kershaw said.
A man is held down by police in Darwin. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
The NT Police Commissioner confirmed the suspect, described as caucasian and wearing high-vis workwear, had been in jail for more than a year before he was released on parole in January.
Police are also investigating the man’s alleged links to local outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“Unfortunately and sadly four people have lost their lives,” Mr Kershaw said.
Around 100 police were placed around the city to ensure public safety. Now, the suspect is in custody in hospital.
See the moment an alleged gunman sped off after firing a number of shots in Darwin. Courtesy: Today
NEWS0:31
CCTV captures moment gunshots fired in Darwin shooting (Today)
Last night, NT Police Duty Superintendent Lee Morgan told news.com.au police were still working to confirm the exact number of injuries and deaths due to crime scenes being scattered across the city.
“We’re still working through a number of crime scenes so we still don’t know if there are others,” he said.
The locations of the alleged gunman's attacks. Picture: SunriseSource:Supplied
HOW IT HAPPENED — WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
5.45PM: FIRST SHOTS FIRED
The first calls to police came after shots were heard on Finniss St in central Darwin.
Witnesses reported hearing up to 20 shots fired at the motel, telling horrifying stories of the man allegedly calmly walking through the motel “looking for somebody”.
“He shot up all the rooms and he went to every room looking for somebody and he shot them all up, then we saw him rush out, jump into his Toyota pick-up, and rush off,” witness John Rose told the ABC.
The man then jumped in his ute and drove a block away to the Palms Motel on McMinn St where he allegedly killed one person. The shooter was described as a caucasian man, wearing hi-vis workwear, who’d emerged from behind the motel with a high-powered shotgun.
Later, a man’s body is discovered at the hotel between Finnis and McMinn Street.
Broken glass is seen at the front of the Palms Motel. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
The Palms Motel was peppered with gunshots. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
GARDEN HILLS CRESCENT
The man then allegedly fled the motel scene down to an apartment complex on Garden Hills Crescent in The Gardens, where another person is believed to have been killed.
“We’re still putting together the chronology of events,” Mr Kershaw said.
A witness told the ABC police initially drove straight past the man.
“We looked through the window and there was a guy with a gun. We put (our car) in reverse and went straight back. As we were going around the block, we saw him walking calmly through the unit blocks. The cops came around, went straight past him because they didn’t know who he was, he was that calm,” the Darwin local said.
“He put his gun in the boot (of his ute) then reversed out. The cops followed him and they took off down the street and then we just heard gunshots again.”
THE BUFF CLUB
It’s understood the other man was killed at The Buff Club in Stuart Park. The social club and bar remained open last night, according to NT News.
JOLLY STREET
The man is also alleged to have broken into a home at Jolly Street in the small suburb of Woolner, where he shot and killed another man. It’s alleged he had a shotgun in his hand at the time.
The alleged gunman was arrested on the Daly Street Bridge. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
Before his arrest the alleged gunman had spoken with police on the phone. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
A man is seen being taken away in a Police van Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
6:45PM: ARREST
After being on the run for more than an hour, the man was tackled on Stuart Highway at the Daly Street Bridge, by heavily-armed tactical response group police dressed in camouflage gear.
Before his arrest, he’d spoken to the Duty Superintendent Lee Morgan from Darwin police, according to NT News. He’d requested to be taken into protective custody.
Video taken at the scene shows the man, covered in blood and shirtless, lying on his back as he tried to kick the rifle of one of the police officers.
The man was tasered at the scene before being taken away in a police vehicle. He was subjected to mandatory drug, alcohol and other testing.
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Dramatic arrest if possible shooter in Darwin CBD
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4:19 AM - Jun 4, 2019
Police said there were at least five different crime scenes they would spend the night working through.
The main crime scene is The Palms Motel on McMinn St in Darwin. Officers have also cordoned off Garden Hills Cres, a Coles Express petrol station on Daly St, Jolly St in Woolner, The Buff Club in Stuart Park and finally the roundabout where the 45-year-old was arrested.
Another crime scene has been declared at the Peter McAulay Centre — the central complex for policing in Darwin — after the man allegedly tried to gain entry to the building.
Mr Kershaw said police had received reports the man had allegedly fought with someone at the Buff Club, ending in a knife and gun being drawn.
“Our investigation will be evidence-based and intelligence-informed,” Mr Kershaw said.
Mr Kershaw praised the actions of police — who managed to have the alleged gunman in the back of a paddy wagon within the hour.
“This was a first class response. Within the hour, we were able to apprehend and take that offender safely into custody,” he said.
Mr Kershaw said the man allegedly still had his shotgun when the tactical response group arrested him.
Mr Morgan said police believe the shooter acted alone. He was driving a white Toyota Hilux ute and was described as 195cm tall.
A man is seen being taken away in a police van. Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters: “This is not the Darwin we know”.
“I understand when an event like this occurs, people’s fears turn to terrorism. I can confirm we do not believe this is not a terrorism incident,” he said.
“This many be an event you prepare for but this is never an event you want to respond to. It is an incredibly difficult night. Territorians can be proud of those who serve us on our front line.”
Witness Leah Potter told the ABC she helped an injured woman after the alleged shooter fired his shotgun through a motel room door.
Ms Potter told the publication she heard something that sounded like fireworks near the Palms Motel in Darwin before seeing the woman carried outside.
Her legs were bleeding and peppered with shotgun pellets.
A man, believed to be the injured woman’s boyfriend, dropped her on the road to go and get help from police.
“A man came running with a woman in his arms from next door which is the Palms Motel, which is the motel next to my motel, and he just dropped her on the footpath right in front of us,” Ms Potter said.
“I ran and got some towels and wrapped up her legs, she had little holes all in her skin on both her legs and she was bleeding everywhere.”
Specialist police hold a man down in Darwin Picture: Keri MegelusSource:News Corp Australia
Large sections of the city were closed down earlier yesterday as police worked to find the man.
Police armed with assault rifles and wearing camouflage gear cordoned off roundabouts and roads in Darwin.
Speaking from The Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce in London, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his thoughts were with the NT.
“It’s a terrible act of violence that has already taken lives,” Mr Morrison said.
“Particularly, I want to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to all the people of the Territory and particularly in Darwin. This is a very tight community and I know they will be rocked by these events.
“Our advice is that this is not a terrorist act, nothing to suggest this was the case whatsoever. The true motivations of this criminal and violent act will become better known … but in the meantime I think it is important that everyone in Darwin, in the Territory, understands that the thoughts of Australians, wherever they are, will be thinking very much of their fellow Australians in the Territory.”
At least five people have been killed and a couple injured. Shooter has be apprehended.
Motive unknown but the shooter has been identified as a 45 year old, possibly out on parole:
UPDATE:
- Four dead, one injured
- Seemingly random victims
- Shooter used old prohibited firearm
- Was wearing an electronic ankle bracelet at the time of the shooting
NT Police launch parole review after four killed in Darwin shooting rampage
The review is triggered after Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann, 45, allegedly carried out attacks across the Top End city that left four men dead and a woman injured.
www.abc.net.au
Darwin shooting: Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann identified as alleged gunman after four killed
By Emily Smith, Matt Garrick, and Neda Vanovac
Updated yesterday at 6:20pm
PHOTO: The 45-year-old is believed to now be in the Royal Darwin Hospital. (Supplied: Facebook)
RELATED STORY: 'Terrible act of violence': Four shot dead, another injured by gunman in Darwin
RELATED STORY: Shot dead while on a meal break: 33yo Darwin cabbie mourned
The alleged shooter believed to have carried out a series of attacks that left four men dead and a woman injured in "an hour of chaos" in the Darwin CBD last night has been identified as Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann, 45.
Key points:
- Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann has been identified as the alleged shooter
- He is suspected of carrying out a series of attacks that left four men dead and a woman injured
- The attacks were carried out at four different locations across Darwin
One of the alleged victims has been identified as Hassan Baydoun, 33, a taxi driver who was believed to have been on his meal break when he was shot.
His employer, Blue Taxi Company, described him as one of their "long-term, beloved drivers" and said their thoughts went to his family and friends.
Three other men were also killed in the attack, and a woman was injured.
The suspected shooter, Mr Hoffmann, is now at the Royal Darwin Hospital, after being apprehended by police on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday evening.
He was on parole after being released from prison in January.
He had serving a six-year sentence with a four-year non-parole period, but NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said he'd had a minor violation of his strict parole conditions, and as a result served another two weeks in prison, being released in early May.
The gunman had been wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet for the duration of his spree, the Commissioner said.
An urgent review into the parole system has now been triggered by the NT Government, and into the use of electronic monitoring for parolees.
"We've asked for a detailed report immediately from the Parole Review Board into what happened with this alleged offender, and we have asked for everyone who is on parole and on electronic monitoring to also be reviewed," said Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
"We're not jumping to conclusions, but we are doing all the work we need to do to make sure Territorians are safe."
A review has now been launched into 103 people currently on parole in the Territory, 46 of them on active monitoring, and is to be completed by the end of next week.
No charges have yet been laid.
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'An hour of chaos'
NT Police Commander Travis Wurst said the investigation was not over.
"This was an hour of moving chaos through the CBD," he said.
"This was a tragic, tragic event.
Five of the eight crime scenes remained active, he said, and he called for members of Darwin's underworld to come forward with any information that might help the police investigation.
"I'd suggest any people in the community — whether they be associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs or other criminal behaviour but have information to provide — we will not judge, we will just speak to everyone on their merits," he said.
"Please come forward, you will be treated accordingly."
Shooter used prohibited firearm
Commissioner Kershaw detailed the alleged shooter's movements yesterday afternoon.
Commissioner Kershaw said police were still not "100 per cent" sure what motivated the attack, but said the shooter may have been looking for certain individuals.
- At 4:15pm, he is believed to have been at Humpty Doo, a town 38 kilometres from Darwin
- Between 5:39pm and 5:57pm, he was at 19 Finniss Street in Darwin's CBD
- Between 5:54 pm and 5:57pm he was at 18 Gardens Hill Crescent in The Gardens
- At 5:59pm, he went to the Buff Club at Stuart Park
- Between 6:05pm and 6:13pm, he attended Jolly Street at Woolner, four kilometres from the CBD
- From 6:22pm to 6:25pm he went to the police headquarters at the Peter McAuley Centre, 14 kilometres from the CBD
- At 6:44pm, he was apprehended and tasered at the corner of McMinn and Daly streets
PHOTO: A crime scene set up at Jolly Street in Woolner. (ABC News: Rosa Ellen)
One of those individuals is believed to have been called "Alex" and police believe he was interstate during the attack.
But police also believe some of the victims may not have been known to the attacker at all.
Commissioner Kershaw also said when the alleged shooter went to the police headquarters he was armed and kicked at the door.
What we know about the Darwin shooting
The alleged gunman visited six locations across the city. Here's what else we know.
The alleged offender used a prohibited firearm that may have been stolen as far back as 1997.
The same weapon was believed to have been used in all of the attacks, and police have obtained its serial number, the commissioner said.
Nine New South Wales police officers with expertise in forensics and ballistics are now on their way to the Territory.
Commissioner Kershaw called on witnesses with information to come forward, particularly if they had seen three vehicles believed to have been used by the shooter: a white Toyota Hilux with NT registration CC26QE, a red Commodore with NT registration CC01IR and a silver Proton with NT registration CD49OU.
"As the Chief [Minister] has stated, he is in custody, and I can confirm he was Tasered by our Territory Response Group.
"Our office and my office has also liaised with the coroner, as this will meet the coroner's jurisdiction in relation to the investigation into the sad loss of life."
Police have not yet officially confirmed the identity of the shooter and said they did not believe the attack was linked to terrorism.
PHOTO: Broken glass and a spent shotgun cartridge are visible at the crime scene at the Palms Motel. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Alleged shooter had recently been to hospital
Corrections Commissioner Scott McNairn confirmed Mr Hoffmann had been on parole since January.
Prior to that he had been sentenced to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of four years.
He said Mr Hoffmann had been released on parole with 23 strict conditions, and had received one minor breach for breaking his curfew, for less than an hour, and was subject to a 14-day custodial sentence as a result.
He said Mr Hoffmann had gone to hospital earlier this week.
"And this was a permitted reason to leave home during a curfew period. He contacted Community Corrections [to advise] of his intention to attend the hospital."
Commissioner McNairn said Mr Hoffmann had been drug tested throughout his parole period, with the most recent test on May 21, and all had come back negative.
PHOTO: A mourner lays flowers at the Palms Motel in Darwin. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said there had been eight active crime scenes.
He also said a recovery coordination centre had been formed, designed to help witnesses and those affected, including staff from the Palms Motel and Buffalo Club where two of the deaths are believed to have occurred.
He said mental health services would be made available, and extra resources would be given to NT Mental Health and Lifeline as needed.
"Today I speak for all Territorians when I say we feel the pain of those impacted by the events last night, the victims, their families."
In a statement Blue Taxi Company, who employed one of the victims, Hassan Baydoun, said they would "mourn and honour" the "beloved" taxi driver.
"This is not what our city stands for," they said.
'We thought they were fireworks'
Eyewitness Leah Potter, who said she knew the alleged gunman "back in the day", described the terrifying moment the gunfire began.
"And then a man came running up the footpath with a woman in his arms saying 'she's been shot'.
"We ran to my motel room and got some towels, wrapped her legs up and put her in the back of a police vehicle, in case the gunman came back."
PHOTO: Police on duty at a crime scene at Gardens Hill Crescent, where a man was shot and killed. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Ms Potter said she gathered with other shell-shocked witnesses at a nearby takeaway restaurant until the early hours, where they shared their experiences.
"We're just really shocked and saddened," she said.
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