Man charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead Tasmanian Police officer in state's north-west
A man has been charged after he allegedly shot and killed a police officer on a rural property in north-west Tasmania on Monday.
Constable Keith Smith died on Monday while at work when he was attending a property on Allison Road near North Motton, 26km west of Devonport.
The alleged gunman was charged on Thursday by Tasmanian Police with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault while recovering in Launceston General Hospital after being shot by Constable Smith's colleague.
The 46-year-old man remains under supervision in hospital where he is receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the death of Constable Smith, Tasmania Police said: "This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected."
Commissioner Donna Adams said he was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years.
"His loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community," she said.
'My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.'
Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff passed on his condolences following the tragic incident.
"To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues …. the love of an entire state is with you today," he said on Facebook.
"And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy."
The state's police, fire and emergency management minister, Felix Ellis, said it was "a dark day for our police force and wider community".
"This sends shock waves right through our community," he said.
"Our hearts go out to the officer's loved ones, our north-west community, and our Tasmania Police family."
Tasmania Police have set up a memoriam page for Constable Smith, allowing members of the community to offer condolences to his family and colleagues.
'Keith was an experienced and well-respected officer with 25 years' experience working in northern and western Tasmania,' the page said.
'He received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal in 2016.'
A memorial has also been set up outside Ulverstone Police Station.
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Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Man charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead Tasmanian Police officer in state's north-west
A man has been charged after he allegedly shot and killed a police officer on a rural property in north-west Tasmania on Monday. Constable Keith Smith died on Monday while at work when he was attending a property on Allison Road near North Motton, 26km west of Devonport. The alleged gunman was charged on Thursday by Tasmanian Police with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault while recovering in Launceston General Hospital after being shot by Constable Smith's colleague. The 46-year-old man remains under supervision in hospital where he is receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the death of Constable Smith, Tasmania Police said: "This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected." Commissioner Donna Adams said he was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years. "His loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community," she said. 'My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.' Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff passed on his condolences following the tragic incident. "To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues …. the love of an entire state is with you today," he said on Facebook. "And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy." The state's police, fire and emergency management minister, Felix Ellis, said it was "a dark day for our police force and wider community". "This sends shock waves right through our community," he said. "Our hearts go out to the officer's loved ones, our north-west community, and our Tasmania Police family." Tasmania Police have set up a memoriam page for Constable Smith, allowing members of the community to offer condolences to his family and colleagues. 'Keith was an experienced and well-respected officer with 25 years' experience working in northern and western Tasmania,' the page said. 'He received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal in 2016.' A memorial has also been set up outside Ulverstone Police Station.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Man charged after shooting leaves Tasmanian Police officer dead
A man has been charged with murder after a police officer was shot and killed in rural Tasmania on Monday. Constable Keith Smith was killed as he and a colleague attempted to serve a court-ordered repossession warrant on a property near the small town of North Motton in Tasmania's northwest. The alleged gunman was shot by another police officer before being arrested. Tasmanian Police on Thursday charged a 46-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. The North Motton man appeared in a bedside court sitting at Launceston Hospital. He will reappear in court at a later date. He remains under guard in hospital where he is receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries. Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams thanked those involved in the ongoing investigation for their dedication and professionalism. Commissioner Adams earlier said the two uniformed officers were accompanied by three members of Tasmania Police Special Operations Group (SOG) for a 'frontline assist deployment' before the incident. 'On arrival at the property, the two police officers exited their police vehicle and shortly thereafter constable Keith Smith was tragically shot and killed,' the Commissioner alleged. 'Having heard the gunshots, the three members of SOG transitioned to their tactical kit, placed on their body armour, changed their weaponry and made their way up the driveway where they heard the shots had been fired.' 'An SOG operative was able to swiftly apprehend the offender after shooting him in the hand.' A memoriam page for Constable Smith has been uploaded to the Tasmania Police website, where members of the public can offer condolences to his family and colleagues. 'Keith was an experienced and well-respected officer with 25 years' experience working in northern and western Tasmania,' the page said. 'He received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal in 2016.'
SBS Australia
9 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Man charged with murder after Tasmanian policeman shot dead
A man has been charged with murder after a veteran police officer was shot dead on the job. Tasmania Police Constable Keith Anthony Smith, 57, was killed on Monday as he approached a property in rural Tasmania to deliver a court-ordered home repossession warrant. A 46-year-old North Motton man surrendered at the scene and on Thursday was charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. He appeared before court in a bedside sitting while under police guard in hospital and will return to court at a later date. The state's tight-knit northwest community has been left reeling from the well-respected officer and passionate cyclist's death. It is the first fatal shooting of an officer in the island state in more than a century. Smith was at the house with another experienced frontline officer, with a supporting team of three specialist operations group officers stationed further away at the driveway before the incident occurred. The alleged offender was shot in the hand by one of the specialist operations group and then surrendered, police said. Commissioner Donna Adams thanked those involved in the ongoing investigation for their diligent work in difficult circumstances. "The support our members have shown for Constable Keith Smith's family and loved ones, and each other, is testament to the strength of our blue family," she said. He had worked at the nearby Ulverstone Police Station for the past five years after joining the force in 2000. Smith received the commissioner's medal in 2011 and a 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the national police service medal in 2016. In 2005, he cycled through Tasmania to raise money for tsunami victims in Asia, and in 2011 he rode a 420km mountain route for the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. Police professional standards and the coroner are investigating the incident, and whether officers knew there was a gun at the property will form part of the probe.
