An alleged early morning attempted home invasion by five people has ended with a 17-year-old boy being shot in the back, Tasmania Police say.
Police were called to a home on Syme Street in South Hobart after reports of a disturbance shortly before 1:20am.
A short time later, a 17-year-old presented to Royal Hobart Hospital with a gunshot wound to his back.
Police say the 17-year-old has undergone surgery and is in a critical but stable condition. (ABC News: Owain Stia James)
At a press conference on Monday, Inspector David Gill said the boy had undergone surgery and remained in a critical condition.
“Following the incident, we understand that the victim in this matter has been conveyed to the hospital by associates of his, and essentially left there,” Inspector Gill said.
A shotgun has been recovered, and a crime scene remains in place in Syme Street.
Inspector Gill said police would allege a group of five males attended the house “with the intent to cause an unlawful act themselves”.
“Police will allege one of the persons who attended the address was shot,” Inspector Gill said.
“From our investigations so far, we believe that the males have attempted to enter the residence, they had been unsuccessful and then fled the scene shortly after a shot was fired.”
He said the alleged motive was still being investigated.
“It may relate to a road rage incident that occurred approximately two days ago, but investigations are still in the early stages,” he said.
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Inspector Gill said the incident was “definitely not” related to recent shootings in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
A 25-year-old man had been charged with committing an unlawful act with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated assault and other firearm offences.
He remains in custody and will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police believe some people witnessed the incident and are urging anyone with information to contact them on 131 444 or via Crime Stoppers.