2LT Local News

CENTRAL WEST, NSW, Australia – A man who died after being shot in the state’s Central West around six weeks ago has been named by Homicide Squad detectives who are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, and are appealing for assistance from the public.

The man killed was a local Wellington man, aged 48. His name was Frank Smith.

It is understood he was shot on the morning of Monday 27 April this year. He was taken to Wellington Base Hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach.

“Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for information as they continue to investigate the shooting death of a man at Wellington earlier this year,” a statement released on Tuesday said.

“About 4.30pm on Monday 27 April 2020, police were called to Wellington Base Hospital after a man presented with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.”

“Despite the efforts of hospital staff, the man was unable to be revived,” the statement said.

“The man has since been formally identified as 48-year-old Wellington resident, Frank Smith.”

“Initial inquiries were conducted by officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Libani,” Tuesday’s statement said.

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said as investigations continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Frank Smith’s death was one of two in or near Wellington in the space of 3 months this year. Bandidos chapter president Shane De Britt, was killed on his property in Eurimbla , around 50km south of Wellington in January.

The immediate focus however is on Frank Smith.

“Initial inquiries into Mr Smith’s death have revealed that a member of the public saw him collapse in the front yard of a home on Thornton Street, Wellington, about 10am on Monday 27 April 2020,” Det Supt Doherty said Tuesday.

“This good Samaritan has driven Mr Smith, who was in a critical condition, to Wellington Base Hospital where he later died.”

“Frank was a local Wellington resident who was well known in the community and was a supportive and loving father and grandfather.”

“As investigations continue, detectives are appealing for anyone with information, or who may have dashcam footage from the area, to come forward,” Det Supt Doherty said.

Police are seeking dash cam vision from any vehicles that may have been travelling on or near Thornton Street, on Monday 27 April 2020 between 8am and 11am.

Vision can be handed into any police station or uploaded to Crime Stoppers online.

Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Libani investigators to call Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.