Broken glass and bullet hole in the window of a unit Broken glass and bullet hole in the window of a unit that are being built. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
MT PLEASANT residents say they are shocked but not surprised to hear of people driving around the area firing guns out car windows.
Two Elsworth Street residents woke on Saturday morning to find their car windows with bullet holes.
House windows on a nearby construction site also had bullet holes in them.
Police believe that on Friday night or in the early hours of Saturday morning, culprits fired bullets at parked cars and houses.
Nobody was in either the units or the cars and nobody was injured.
Investigations found traces of bullets and other debris that suggested a gun had been used.
Residents in the Mt Pleasant area yesterday said it was concerning to hear of such behaviour in a built-up area.
However they said it was sad that it was almost expected nowadays.
Watson Avenue resident Gary Clark said although he did not hear the weapons being fired on Friday, it was concerning to know people were driving around with guns, firing them in suburban areas.
It is believed a .22 rifle was used in the shootings.
He said there was often signs of misbehaviour, particularly in the developing Pleasant Views Estate.
“You don’t want things like that happening near where you live,” Mr Clark said.
“We’ve been here 11 years and nothing has happened to us but you do hear of things happening. You don’t want idiots running around with guns.”
Another Elsworth Street resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she often saw young people committing graffiti or damaging property in the area. “It’s not good they do things like that, but to hear some of them have guns, that is very worrying indeed,” she said.
Police are calling for any witnesses to the shooting or somebody who saw a suspicious car in the area to come forward.
Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Jeff Highthorn said it seemed that a .22 rifle had been used and suspected the shooter had leant out the window to shoot the bullets.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Ballarat CIU on 5336 6080 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
patricknolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au