Police are investigating after five shots were fired at a residential property in Adelaide’s south-west last night.
No one was injured in the incident which occurred in Woods St, Ascot Park about 8pm last night and is believed to be linked with two recent deliberately lit fires.
Investigators from the SA Police Crime Gangs Task Force believe a drug debt is central to the incidents.
Detective Superintendent Mark Trenwith, the officer in charge of the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, said this public display of violence was totally unacceptable and he noted the two people at the address last night were not involved in any criminality.
He said members of the Crime Gangs Task Force have been actively investigating all three incidents, speaking with individuals, searching properties and following positive lines of inquiry.
“I can assure the public that these are not random incidents, but they pose an intolerable risk to the wider community,” he said.
“Our focus at this time is to intervene before further events occur – given the lack of co-operation by those involved that is challenging.
“However we will continue to investigate and monitor their activities to shut down this criminal activity.
“While a lack of co-operation makes things harder for police, it certainly doesn’t stop us, and we have had a great deal of success in recent years tackling overt crime and intimidation by Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
“We remain flexible and vigilant when policing this form of organised crime whether the criminality is violence or drugs or some other issue – we will keep the pressure on them.
“At the end of the day it’s about reducing the criminality whether it’s about the gang or associates of them or other criminal networks.”
In the early hours of Friday 9 August there was a fire at a gymnasium on Marker Avenue, Marleston which was deliberately lit and caused substantial damage.
The Crime Gangs Task Force has also been involved in the investigation of a deliberately lit fire at Mile End in the early hours of Thursday 8 August when a food van was destroyed by fire.
Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – don’t forget you can give information anonymously.
