Woman dies after shots fired at residence

21st August 2008

A police officer guards a home on the corner of Tudman and Herbertson streets about three hours after neighbours heard gunshots

A WOMAN lay dead and a man critically injured when Gladstone Police arrived at a West Gladstone residence early yesterday morning.

Neighbours had called police after the sound of three gunshots shattered the dawn's silence.

Gladstone District Inspector Graham Coleman said police received the neighbour's call at 5:45 yesterday morning and responded along with other emergency services personnel immediately.

When they arrived at the Tudman Street residence, a 38-year-old woman was found dead and a 54-year-old man was critically injured in the back yard.

Police confirmed the woman had been shot, but it is unknown whether the wounds specifically caused her death.

The middle aged man was rushed to Gladstone Hospital and then later to Rockhampton in a critical condition.

Police late yesterday afternoon said the man, who remains under police guard, was in a stable condition and yet to be questioned.

He underwent surgery at Rockhampton Hospital yesterday afternoon, and was expected to undergo further surgery today.

The names of the two had not yet been released late last night, however Inspector Coleman said the man and dead woman were related.

Late yesterday police also confirmed there was not anyone else involved in the incident.

The woman is believed to have been a Bechtel Construction employee working at the Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun site.

Police were yesterday trying to contact her family in Victoria.

The reasons behind the tragedy remain a mystery as police continue their investigations.

On arrival yesterday morning, Gladstone police immediately scaled the crime scene and later extended the barricades to the surrounding streets.

Officers moved around the neighbourhood questioning anyone who may have heard or seen anything in relation to the shooting.

A police chaplain offered neighbours and officers counselling.

Police said the autopsy of the deceased woman is expected to be completed by today.

It will determine whether the cause of death was directly from gunshot wounds.

Police remained on scene overnight as investigations continued.

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Woman dies after shots fired at residence | Gladstone News | Local News in Gladstone