Victorian police confirmed they are investigating links between a shooting at the former home of late gangland figure Carl Williams, which is now occupied by his father George Williams, and the shooting of a police officer shortly after.
The incidents may also be linked to an arson attack on a house next door to Williams’ widow, Roberta Williams, on Sunday in Essendon, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning two police officers responded to reports of a shooting at George Williams’ home in Broadmeadows, a northern Melbourne suburb.
On their way to the scene at about 3.40am, the officers attempted to intercept a car. However, the driver of the car refused to stop and shots were fired towards police.
The police officer driving had his window down and received a number of shotgun pellets to the back of his head, armed crime squad detective Inspector Steve Clark said.
The car drove from the scene and was found burned and abandoned in Coburg North at 4.30am.
“It’s really only good luck rather than good management that resulted in our police member not being more severely injured,” Clark said.
“It’s really concerning, and shows just how dangerous police work can be.”
A 12-gauge shotgun had been used in the attack, he said.
The injured 31-year-old constable, from Flemington police command, was in a stable condition following surgery, police said on Wednesday.
“He is up and about and in good spirits, and is being supported by colleagues, friends and family,” a police statement said.
Roberta Williams told the Herald Sun that she felt her family was under attack. It was suspected a molotov cocktail had been thrown at the home next door to hers at the weekend, causing a fire, police said.
“All that’s happened is that children have been terrorised and a police officer has been shot doing his job and trying to keep us all safe,” Williams said.
Police were investigating links between all the incidents and gangland activity in Melbourne, and said a significant amount of CCTV footage had been gathered.
A man who said he knew George Williams told reporters outside the house that Williams just wanted to live a quiet life.
“He does his own thing everyday, he doesn’t disturb anybody,” the man, identified only as Paul, said.
“He’s trying his best to stay out of the limelight. Since Carl was killed, nothing has happened in this street.”
