2011-05-29

2011 Hectorville siege

2011 Hectorville siege

2011 Hectorville siege
Location Hectorville, South Australia, Australia
Date 29 April 2011 (
Approx. 2:30am-10:00am UTC+9:30)
Attack type Mass shooting, mass murder
Death(s) 3
Injured 3 (including 2 Police Officers)

The 2011 Hectorville siege was a siege that took place between the hours of 2:30am and 10:30am on Friday 29 April 2011 in the small suburb of Hectorville, east of Adelaide in the state of South Australia, Australia, when a 39-year old male went on a shooting rampage, killing 3 people and wounding 2 police officers, before holding a 8 hour stand off with police before finally being arrested.

Suspect

The suspect arrested was announced as being 39 year-old Donato Anthony Corbo, and had had previous dealings with the Police. It is suggested that the reason for the killings may have sparked from an earlier row between the two families over a pet dog, a Staffordshire Terrier which had recently been poisoned. It is also speculated that Mr. Corbo was suffering from mental health issues, stemming from a relationship breakup in December 2010. It is alleged the weapon used during the shootings was a shotgun, a Class-A category firearm. It is not known if Corbo has a legitimate license for the weapon. However Police would later remove 3 further firearms from his property.

Victims

The victims were South African immigrants who had arrived in Australia 3 years ago from Pretoria. They had migrated to hold a better life for their son, as they felt that South Africa was a too violent place to bring a child up. The two deceased victims were on holiday visiting the family, and were due to return home to South Africa 2 days after the shooting took place. The family were deeply religious, members of the local Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Events

The incident started at approximately 2:30am when the 39-year old suspect entered his neighbours property and shot dead the 64-year old man, along with his 65-year old wife, before turning the gun on their 41-year old son-in-law who was also shot dead. A female who was also in the house at the time, rang Police and fled with her 14-year old son, and 11 year old daughter, however her 14-year old son was seriously wounded when the gunman shot him as he tried to flee the house.

A South Australia Police patrol were the first officers on the scene. It is alleged that when the Officers approached the house the gunman once more opened fire with a shotgun. One officer was seriously wounded when he was shot in the face, the other officer was wounded in the knee, however was able to return fire and drag himself and his wounded colleague to safety, both Officers were taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment. The gunmen then fled next door back to his property, where he engaged in a tense siege with heavily armed members of the STAR force. After an 8-hour siege, Police finally entered the property and arrested the gunman without further injuries or fatalities.

Aftermath

The gunman was later charged with 3 counts of murder, and 2 counts of attempted murder as well as a string of other offenses. and if convicted will face a maximum penalty of life in prison. He was refused bail and will appear in court on 2 May.

A day after the shootings occurred, the Police Officer who was seriously wounded after being shot in the jaw, was in a serious but stable condition, under an induced coma in Royal Adelaide Hospital. The 14-year old boy who also suffered gunshot wounds was also in a serious, but stable condition with both expected to recover.

The suspect appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on 2 May charged with 3 counts of murder, and 2 of attempted murder, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He will reappear in court on 26 July.

References

External links






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