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AAP
AAP
National
Melissa Meehan

Tas police probe how shooter got gun

Tasmanian police want to know how a man acquired the gun he used in an apparent murder-suicide. (AAP)

Tasmanian police are investigating how a shooter got the gun he used to kill a man and wound a woman before turning it on himself.

Police were called to a house on William St in Devonport, northwest Tasmania, just before 1am on Saturday after reports of shots being fired.

Two men aged in their 30s - one of whom police believe was the gunman - were found dead inside the house.

A 38-year-old woman, who suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen, went to her neighbours' house to raise alarm. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

A 10-year-old, who police said was one of two child witnesses, was not physically injured but saw "a fair portion of what occurred".

Police say the shooter, named as Paul Carey, a 35-year-old man from Burnie, acquired the Winchester shotgun in the past three months.

The gun was not registered and the man did not have a firearms licence.

"We would like to hear from anyone who has information about how the offender acquired the firearm," Detective Inspector Kim Steven said on Sunday.

"The person who assisted the offender in sourcing the firearm is encouraged to contact detectives, without fear of prosecution.

"It is important we establish the sequence of events which led up to the incident."

It's believed the gun was imported legally in the 1970s, prior to the Firearms Act in 1996 and was never registered.

Police said the shooter knew the victims, but their relationship with each other would be a matter for the coroner.

Police also named Christopher Walters as his victim on Sunday, following permission from Mr Walters' family.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

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