Investigators are appealing for assistance after a man was fatally shot at Port Stephens yesterday.
Emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash, just before 1.45pm (Sunday 29 August 2021), after reports a white Ford Ranger utility had hit a tree.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended along with NSW Ambulance paramedics and located a male driver suffering a gunshot wound.
He died at the scene; he has since been formally identified as 45-year-old David King from Tanilba Bay.
Police have been told a man was seen to exit the Ford Ranger and enter a white Hyundai Santa Fe shortly after the crash before the vehicle fled the scene.
A white Santa Fe was later located burnt out at Masonite Road, Heatherbrae. Police are investigating whether the vehicle is linked to the incident.
Two crime scenes were established and were examined by specialist forensic officers.
Port Stephens-Hunter detectives – assisted by the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad – have established Strike Force Breve to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's death. Detectives are treating this as a targeted attack.
As inquiries continue, strike force detectives are appealing for anyone who may have seen a white Ford Ranger utility or a white Hyundai Santa Fe in the Salt Ash, Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae areas between 8am and 3pm yesterday (Sunday 29 August 2021) or who may have dashcam footage to contact Raymond Terrace Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about Strike Force Breve is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
