Bullets believed to be fired by a pair of bikies came within centimetres of a sleeping person in what appears to be Canberra's latest outbreak of gang violence.
A feud between rival groups is threatening to spill into an all-out war, after a third shooting in less than a fortnight — this time in the Tuggeranong suburb of Isabella Plains.
Neighbours heard "six or seven" shots in Ellerston Avenue at 1:00am.
The house that was targeted is next door to a childcare centre and was also attacked in March.
A bedroom window was shattered in the latest incident and sources said a person was sleeping in the room when the shooting began.
The house was also damaged by fire and police removed a gas cylinder and jerry can from the front yard for forensics testing.
Officers are now hunting for two men who were armed with a shotgun and handgun and were seen fleeing the scene in a silver hatchback.
One of the shooters is described as Caucasian with a medium build. He was wearing a light-coloured top and blue jeans.
Third shooting in a fortnight
Neighbours said they were awoken by the gunfire.
"It sounded like fire crackers at first but it was too consistent," a man who lives nearby told the ABC
"I didn't stick my head out because I wasn't going to get shot. I just stayed inside."
An elderly woman said she was frightened by loud bangs.
"I got down under the blankets and pulled them up over my head. I thought if I can't hear you you'll go away," she said.
This is Canberra's third shooting in less than a fortnight, after 27 bullets were fired into a house at Waramanga last week and another home was attacked in Kambah.
There have now been six violent incidents related to bikies in the ACT in as many months.
ACT Policing has been championing tougher anti-gang laws, that would match those across most of the country, and would give officers the power to break up bikies.
"Events such as those seen over the last month highlight the need for new and different approaches," Detective Superintendent Ben Cartwright said in a statement.
"ACT Policing will continue discussions with the ACT Government regarding legislative reform, such as tougher firearms laws and powers that will overcome the need for cooperation from those who don't wish to assist police."
Police Minister Mick Gentleman, whose government opposes anti-consorting laws, will meet with the ACT's chief police officer tomorrow.
