Armed Crime Squad detectives yesterday arrested two people and seized an illicit firearm as part of an investigation into a shooting in St Arnaud earlier this year.
With assistance from local police in the Western Region, police executed warrants at two residential properties in St Arnaud last Thursday, August 28.
During the search, police located a loaded privately manufactured handgun, as well as firearm parts and cartridge ammunition.
A significant amount of cannabis was also seized.
A 21-year-old St Arnaud man and a 55-year-old St Arnaud man were arrested and interviewed by police.
The 21-year-old man will be charged with non-prohibited person possessing firearms, possessing ammunition and possessing drugs of dependence.
He will face the St Arnaud Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
The 55-year-old man will be charged on summons for possession of drugs of dependence and hindering police.
He will face the St Arnaud Magistrates Court at a later date.
Police are investigating whether this firearm may be linked to a shooting at a property on Kings Avenue in St Arnaud on Monday, July 28 – which left a 40-year-old St Arnaud man with a non-life-threatening gunshot injury to his upper body.
A 37-year-old man was charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, intentionally causing injury, common law assault, use firearm contrary to a firearms prohibition order, theft of a motor vehicle, driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving whilst being pursued by police, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and contravening a conduct condition of bail.
Police will allege in court that the incident was targeted, with both parties known to each other.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
