Man, 28, who shot his stepbrother in a row over a Mother's Day present before turning the gun on himself dies in hospital
- A man who shot his stepbrother before shooting himself in the head has died
- Billy Smith attempted to take his own life after he shot Chris Rundle in the chest
- The dispute started after Smith failed to get his step-mum a Mother's Day gift
- Smith died on Monday afternoon and Rundle remains in hospital but is stable
- Mother was forced to watch as her son was allegedly shot in the chest
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A man who shot his stepbrother over a dispute about a Mother's Day gift before he turned the gun on himself has died in hospital.
Billy Smith, 28, passed away after he shot himself in the head following an altercation with Chris Rundle, 35, on Sunday around midday.
Mr Rundle, whose biological mother lives with Mr Smith and other family members on a farm in Bingleburra, NSW, criticised his stepbrother for failing to wish his stepmother a happy Mother's Day or buying her a gift.
In response, Mr Smith is understood to have grabbed a .22 calibre rifle and shot Mr Rundle in the chest.
The 28-year-old man allegedly shot the 35-year-old man at a rural property 200km north of Sydney on Sunday around midday
He then fled to a nearby wooden area where he attempted to take his own life by shooting himself in the head, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Emergency services attended the incident and both men were treated at the scene before they were airlifted to John Hunter hospital.
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Mr Smith was taken to hospital in a critical condition and passed away around 24 hours later on Monday afternoon.
His step-brother Mr Rundle remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Both men were taken to John Hunter Hospital. The 35-year-old is in a serious but stable condition and the 28-year-old is believed to be fighting for his life
The horrific altercation is understood to have taken place in front of family, including the older man's mother.
According to neighbours, Mr Rundle had travelled 90km from his home on Tanilba Bay, in Port Stephens, to be with his mother on Mother's Day.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District are continuing to investigate the incident.
On Sunday a police spokesperson said: 'An investigation is underway following a domestic-related shooting in the state's Hunter region today.
'About midday (Sunday 12 May 2019), emergency services were called to Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra, following reports two men had been shot.
'Police have been told two men – aged 35 and 28 – were involved in an altercation, where the older man sustained a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police have said detectives have established a crime scene and investigations are ongoing
'The younger man fled the property and was located nearby, suffering a gunshot wound to the head, which is believed to be self-inflicted.
'Both men were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before they were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, with the younger man reported to be in a critical condition and the older man in a serious but stable condition.
'Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended the property and established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
'Inquiries into circumstance surrounding the incident continue.'
A report will also be prepared for the Coroner.
- For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
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