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A man faces murder charges following the fatal shooting of an experienced police officer during duty.
Constable Keith Anthony Smith, age 57, of Tasmania Police, was killed on Monday while attending a rural Tasmanian property to deliver a court-mandated home repossession notice.
A 46-year-old man from North Motton gave himself up at the location and was subsequently charged with murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault on Thursday.
He made an appearance in court from his hospital bed, remaining under police supervision, and is scheduled for another court session at a future date.
The close-knit community in the northwest of the state is in shock over the death of the respected officer, who was also a passionate cyclist.
Tasmania Police Constable Keith Anthony Smith was killed on Monday while serving a home repossession warrant at a property in rural Tasmania. Source: AAP / Ange Nicolle
It is the first fatal shooting of an officer in the island state in more than a century.
Smith was at the house with another experienced frontline officer, with a supporting team of three specialist operations group officers stationed further away at the driveway before the incident occurred.
The alleged offender was shot in the hand by one of the specialist operations group and then surrendered, police said.
Commissioner Donna Adams thanked those involved in the ongoing investigation for their diligent work in difficult circumstances.
“The support our members have shown for Constable Keith Smith’s family and loved ones, and each other, is testament to the strength of our blue family,” she said.
Floral tributes were placed at the Devonport Police Station following the shooting death of Keith Anthony Smith at a rural Tasmanian property. Source: Supplied / Tasmania Police
He had worked at the nearby Ulverstone Police Station for the past five years after joining the force in 2000.
Smith received the commissioner’s medal in 2011 and a 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the national police service medal in 2016.
In 2005, he cycled through Tasmania to raise money for tsunami victims in Asia, and in 2011 he rode a 420km mountain route for the Menzies Institute for Medical Research.
Police professional standards and the coroner are investigating the incident, and whether officers knew there was a gun at the property will form part of the probe.
