The man who allegedly shot and killed Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig in rural South Australia has been identified, with the suspect’s family breaking their silence.
Sergeant Doig, 53, and his colleagues Constable Rebekah Cass and Sergeant Michael Hutchinson responded to a report of a man having shot a dog on a family property in Senior, near Bordertown, at around 11.20pm on Thursday.
The trio were reportedly confronted by Jaydn Stimson, 26, upon arrival, before an ensuing gun battle began in which Sergeant Doig was fatally shot.
Mr Hutchinson suffered non-life-threatening gunshot injuries and remains in Flinders Medical Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries.
Jaydn Stimson has been identified as the alleged gunman who shot and killed a South Australian police officer
The 26-year-old was shot by police at the scene and is under police guard in Adelaide in hospital with serious life-threatening injuries.
Mr Stimson’s family broke their silence on Friday and extended their condolences to the families of Sergeant Doig and Sergeant Hutchinson. The advertiser reported.
“As a family, our hearts are broken by the incidents that occurred overnight,” they said.
“For now, our thoughts remain with Sergeant Hutchinson and his family as he recovers from his injuries.”
“Our thoughts are also with the south-east community, all of whom will be affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.
“At this time, our family requests privacy as we process the events that have occurred.”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens confirmed that Mr Stimson was the only person in the property at the time of the shooting
The alleged gunman is under police guard in hospital after being flown to Adelaide for treatment and suffering serious life-threatening injuries.
It is believed Mr Stimson was the only person in the property at the time of the fatal shooting, Police Chief Grant Stevens said.
Assistance was provided to him and Sergeant Doig at the scene by the two officers, who were commended for their efforts.
“That these two officers behaved as they did in such difficult circumstances speaks volumes for their courage and their dedication to their duty and to their colleagues,” Commissioner Stevens added.
Sergeant Doig had been in law enforcement for almost 35 years and was in charge of the Lucindale police station, a small town of 600 people 125 km from Senior.
Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig (pictured) was tragically killed in the line of duty. He had been with the SA Police since 1989
SA Sergeant Michael Hutchinson (pictured) was also shot. He was flown to Adelaide with non-life-threatening injuries
His Bordertown colleague Constable Cass, 31, was not physically injured in the incident. She also provided first aid to her colleagues and the suspect.
Major detectives, forensic investigators and internal investigation officers remained on the scene Friday.
Sergeant Doig was highly respected by his colleagues and had been a member of the southeastern community for over fifteen years.
“No one is left untouched by the tragic incident, there would not be a single police officer today who has not reflected on the sacrifice Jason made and the risk inherent in the role of the police,” Commissioner Stevens told reporters. on Friday.
‘This was one of those jobs that was part of the daily routine of police officers.
“You can only imagine in the early hours of this morning how many people were scrambling to find out if it was someone they cared about who was involved in this incident.”
“Police officers come to work knowing there are risks associated with the job, but this is a stark reminder of what those risks can lead to.”
Sergeant Doig’s death has rocked the close-knit community of Lucindale where he was stationed.
“We are heartbroken by the devastating news of our police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, who tragically passed away last night,” the local fire brigade posted online.
“Many of us have worked with Jason over the years. Thank you Jason, you will be missed.”
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy, including the two officers who were also injured and the entire SAPOL family.”
Two SA Police officers and an armed suspect were shot during a late-night incident near the Victorian border. In the photo, a medical rescue helicopter is on site
Sergeant Doig has become the first SA police officer to be killed in the line of duty in 21 years.
Motor Officer Senior Constable Bogdan (Bob) Sobczak was the last to die in a road accident in 2002.
SA Police Minister Joe Szakacs was in contact with the commissioner throughout the night.
“A heinous act of violence has left one SAPOL officer dead and another seriously injured,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This is unthinkable, tragic and shocking.”
SA Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas has been informed of the ‘terrible news’.
Foreign Minister and SA Senator Penny Wong said her thoughts were with the loved ones of the murdered officer and the police community.
“Every day police risk their lives to keep us all safe,” she posted on X.
“I am devastated for the family of a South Australian officer who was killed while protecting our community.
“We hope for a full recovery of his injured colleague.”
The fatal shooting took place near the South Australia-Victoria border, 270 kilometers south-east of Adelaide
Federal Opposition Leader and former police officer Peter Dutton also paid tribute and urged other Aussies to do the same.”
“Someone has died and a family has lost a loved one,” he told Nine’s Today Show.
“They shifted and tried to do the right thing and help people. They met someone who had evil thoughts and outcomes.
“The community needs to stop and pause again and thank our police officers for the work they do.”