Man arrested in tactical raid over Riverina shooting

A THIRD person has been charged over the alleged shooting of a man who walked himself to hospital after being shot in the leg in the Riverina last month.

The latest arrest came during a major police operation at a rural property in Gunbar on Friday, where specialist officers allegedly uncovered four firearms, a crossbow, ammunition, other weapons and prohibited drugs.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at the property by Tactical Operations Unit officers as part of Strike Force Voral, established to investigate the shooting of a 48-year-old man in Hillston on the night of August 19.

A third man was arrested over the shooting in a police raid on a Riverina property on Friday, September 4 | Image: NSW Police

The victim was allegedly shot in the leg in the backyard of a Burns Street home before walking to the nearby Hillston health service for treatment.

His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Crime scenes were established at the Burns Street property and around a vehicle parked in nearby Shelly Street following the shooting.

A 36-year-old man was arrested in the parked vehicle shortly afterwards, with police alleging a rifle was also seized from inside.

He was charged with discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing an unauthorised firearm and possessing ammunition without a licence, permit or authority.

A second man, aged 42, was arrested on Oxley Avenue at Hillston about 7am the following morning and charged with the same three offences.

Both men were refused bail and remain before the courts.

Following further investigations, officers attached to the Tactical Operations Unit, assisted by Southern Region Tactical Operations Regional Support, swooped on a property at Gunbar on Friday, September 4, where they arrested a third man, also aged 42.

Image: NSW Police

With the help of the Rural Crime Prevention Team, dog unit and the Wagga Crash Investigations Unit, officers searched the property, allegedly uncovering four firearms, a crossbow, ammunition, various other weapons and drugs.

The 42-year-old was taken to Griffith Police Station and charged with six offences, including discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was also charged with acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order, supplying an unregistered firearm, acquiring ammunition while subject to a prohibition order and using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order.

A sixth charge relates to allegedly failing to comply with a police direction under a digital evidence access order.

Image: NSW Police

The man was refused police bail and appeared before a bail court on Saturday, where he was formally refused bail.

He is due to appear before Griffith Local Court on Thursday, September 10.