Police have renewed their appeal for information after shots were fired into the home of one of ACT's most prominent union leaders, in what police believe may be related to a workplace dispute.
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The ACT secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Jason O'Mara, was at his Murrumbateman home with his wife and three children when a series of shots were fired into his house about 10.20pm on March 12.
Officers from the Hume Police District established a crime scene at the home and began investigating the shooting, before forming Strike Force Eager to look into the incident.
Hume Police District Crime Manager Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie fronted the media on Wednesday in relation to the incident and said one of the shots "narrowly missed" Mr O'Mara while he was in the lounge room of his home.
While police said it was a targeted attack, they couldn't confirm whether it was against the family or an individual.
"This is a very serious incident and it was extremely lucky the male occupant of the home wasn't critically injured or killed," Chief Insp Bernie said.
Police believe those responsible may have been watching the premises in the days prior to the incident.
"We don't believe it was a random attack. We do believe it was an issue relating to the occupants of the house. We are looking at his professional life as a line of inquiry," Chief Insp Bernie said.
"We're seeking anyone in the community that has information and may have been reluctant to speak to police to now speak up.
"Any bits of information could be the vital link to putting the pieces of the puzzle together and making an arrest.
"Our goal is to get the firearm and the person that used the firearm off the streets."
Shortly after shots were fired, a vehicle was heard to accelerate harshly from the scene, police said. Police now want to speak to the occupants of a white two-door Lexus captured on video footage entering the Barton Highway from William Slim Drive in the ACT on the night of the shooting.
Security measures had been in place at the Murrumbateman property since the attack.
Murrumbateman is a sleepy rural NSW hamlet on the Barton Highway between Canberra and Yass. The street where the shots were fired is remote from the main community and comprises mostly small acreage allotments.
Anyone with information about the attack or the vehicle is urged to contact Yass detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.
Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
