A SYDNEY man has been killed and another has been charged after an apparent accidental shooting on a property near Tamworth.
A 41-year-old Sydney man will front an out-of-sessions bail hearing in Tamworth Local Court on Friday charged with manslaughter after the shooting at Bundella, east of Quirindi on Boxing Day night.
Police have been told the man removed a firearm from his car about 10.40pm on Wednesday, while they were at the Coomoo Coomoo Road property.
Detectives then allege the man was cleaning the firearm when it fired a round and struck a 23-year-old man, who was nearby.
Despite emergency efforts, the younger man died at the scene.
It’s understood the shooting was witnessed by others including another man, who were visiting the property from Sydney’s south west area.
Police were alerted and set-up a crime scene at the property, which remained under guard throughout much of Thursday.
Oxley detectives from Tamworth and Gunnedah were sent to examine the scene late on Wednesday night.
Forensic police and other specialist officers were also deployed and spent much of the day combing the crime scene and speaking to witnesses.
No one else was injured during the incident, police said.
READ ALSO:
The older man was arrested and taken to Quirindi Police Station where he was questioned by Oxley detectives.
Following investigations, he was charged on Thursday afternoon with one count of manslaughter.
He was refused bail and taken to Tamworth Police Station where he will spend the night in custody ahead of a bail hearing in bail court on Friday.
Police said the firearm in question had been seized and would undergo forensic examination.
A crime scene guard remains in place at the property and police said investigations into the incident are continuing.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
