Rachel Olding and Ilya Gridneff January 21, 2013
Joshua George ... shot dead after a fight at a party. Photo: Facebook
A disagreement at a party on Saturday night turned deadly for a father who was shot dead on a street in broad daylight the next day.
After becoming involved in a fight with a close friend at the party in Sydney's south west, Joshua George arranged to meet with the man on Sunday afternoon to sort it out.
He brought two friends - a male and female - along as "moral support", yet just seconds later, he was lying dead on Gidley Crescent, Claymore, with several gunshot wounds to his body.
It is not clear what sparked the fight on Saturday night. but police believe Mr George, 24, and his alleged killer barely spoke a word when they met just after lunch on Sunday.
Instead the man allegedly pulled out a rifle and fired at least one shot at close range.
A nearby resident, Mary-Anne, told Fairfax Media she heard a single gunshot and a woman screaming. She ran outside and performed CPR on Mr George.
"There was no discussion, just 'bang'," said Detective Chief Inspector Mark Brett from Macquarie Fields police. "Witnesses have told us that everything happened that quickly, there was not much time for banter."
Mr George was taken to Campbelltown Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police spoke to Mr George's two shaken friends immediately after, but they then "disappeared" and detectives are trying to get in touch with them again. They are also appealing for anyone who witnessed the argument at the party to come forward.
Inspector Brett said they knew the identity of the gunman but are yet to find him. Both him and Mr George were known to police.
Friends of Mr George's described him as a devoted father to his young daughter, Madison, and a big hearted man who was well known around Campbelltown.
"Big heart, big smile, that's how I will remember josh...RIP BIG BOY!" posted one friend on Facebook.
"There's not a person in [Campbelltown] that hasn't had a good time with u brother, always stood strong and had our backs, ur in a better place now joshy G this world is putrid and ugly," posted another.
Brittany Phillips said she had spent time with Mr George in the days before his death and was "mucking around with you, hitting you with a pillow".
"You can be a pain but deep down you had a heart. You're the funniest guy," she posted.
No comments:
Post a Comment