A man is due in court tomorrow charged after a public place shooting at Warialda, 80km east of Moree, overnight.
Officers from New England Police District were called to Rotary Park Reserve on the Gwydir Highway about 10pm (Friday 12 December 2025), and were told three men – two aged 18 and one aged 23 – were in a parked utility when their vehicle was allegedly rammed by a 4WD.
A 49-year-old man driving the 4WD got out and allegedly discharged a shotgun at the ute, shattering the windscreen and injuring the 18-year-old driver. The man then allegedly fired a further five rounds at the ute before leaving the scene in the 4WD.
Members of the public rendered first aid to the injured man before he was taken to Warialda Hospital suffering facial injuries.
Police established a crime scene and New England detectives commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following inquiries, New England PD officers – with the assistance of specialist police attached to Western Region – arrested a 49-year-old man about midnight (Saturday 13 December 2025), at a property on Gragin Road, Warialda.
He was taken to Inverell Police Station, where he was charged with three offences,
• Fire firearm in or near public place
• Discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, and
• Use unauthorised firearm.
The man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Local Court 5 tomorrow (Sunday 14 December 2025).
The injured man is now in St George Hospital where he is undergoing surgery. He is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
