In the middle of a massacre: Chilling CCTV footage shows accused Darwin shooter 'calmly stalking an industrial site with a shotgun before killing his fourth victim'

  • Ben Hoffmann, 45, was charged with four counts of murder on Thursday
  • He is accused of a shooting rampage in and around Darwin on Tuesday evening 
  • CCTV footage has emerged of Hoffmann before he allegedly shot fourth victim 
  • The 45-year-old is seen walking through the industrial site before alleged attack 

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press

Published: 05:16 EDT, 8 June 2019 | Updated: 05:18 EDT, 8 June 2019

Chilling CCTV footage shows the accused Darwin shooter calmly walk into an industrial site with a shotgun before allegedly killing his fourth victim.   

Ben Hoffmann, 45, is accused of using a pump action shotgun to kill four men and seriously injure a woman on Tuesday evening in and around Darwin. 

Rob Courtney, 52, Hassan Baydoun, 33, Michael Sisois, 57 and Nigel Hellings, 75, died at four different locations. 

In CCTV footage captured during the alleged rampage, the accused shooter is seen clutching a rifle while walking into an industrial site on Jolly Road, at Woolner.   

Ben Hoffmann (pictured), 45, allegedly killed four people during a shooting rampage on Tuesday evening and injured one other

Ben Hoffmann (pictured), 45, allegedly killed four people during a shooting rampage on Tuesday evening and injured one other

In CCTV footage captured during the alleged rampage, the accused shooter is seen clutching on to a rifle while walking into an industrial site on Jolly Road, at Woolner

In CCTV footage captured during the alleged rampage, the accused shooter is seen clutching on to a rifle while walking into an industrial site on Jolly Road, at Woolner

While he was still holding a weapon, Hoffmann is seen shirtless and his back is soaked with blood from a stab wound. 

CCTV later showed him exiting the site after allegedly killing Mr Courtney.

Earlier CCTV showed Mr Courtney walking through the building during the day of the attack. 

Police allege Mr Courtney put up a fight for his life during his final moments. 

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters on Thursday it was 'highly likely' Hoffmann was stabbed. 

Inside the site, a seemingly unaware Rob Courtney is seen walking through the building

Inside the site, a seemingly unaware Rob Courtney is seen walking through the building

An additional CCTV image showed Hoffmann at the same location where he entered the site, but this time he was exiting. While he was still holding the alleged weapon, Hoffmann is seen shirtless and his back is soaked with blood from a stab wound

An additional CCTV image showed Hoffmann at the same location where he entered the site, but this time he was exiting. While he was still holding the alleged weapon, Hoffmann is seen shirtless and his back is soaked with blood from a stab wound

'The suspect has undergone surgery for what appears to be knife wounds that were sustained prior to him being apprehended by police,' Mr Kershaw said.  

Mr Kershaw said a 'third party' purchased the ammunition allegedly used by Hoffmann.

'There was a knife and the ammunition used, that we believe was linked to the firearm, that were purchased together locally in Darwin on the morning of the offending,' he said. 

That person is now assisting with police inquiries.   

It was also revealed police had the alleged killer in their clutches the morning of the shooting.

Hoffmann, 45, was charged with four counts of murder on Friday - as police made shock admissions about the lead up to the rampage

Hoffmann, 45, was charged with four counts of murder on Friday - as police made shock admissions about the lead up to the rampage

Hoffmann allegedly fatally shot four men at four different locations (pictured) and injured one woman

Hoffmann allegedly fatally shot four men at four different locations (pictured) and injured one woman 

Mr Kershaw said Hoffmann had been pulled over by police on Tuesday morning while behind the wheel of a silver Proton he said he was test driving.

Upon examining the police officer's bodycam footage, Mr Kershaw said the accused shooter was not acting aggressively at the time. 

Hoffmann was then allegedly caught on camera speeding at two locations before visiting a home at Humpty Doo, which police were called to attend.   

'Possibly there was a sighting of a firearm, but we are just working through that because there are multiple addresses out there,' Mr Kershaw said.

Hoffmann was on Friday charged with murder, recklessly endangering serious harm and criminal damage.

Further charges are expected to be laid, a police statement said.

Hoffman is understood to have known two of his victims, Darwin casino security guard Mr Courtney and Mr Sisois. 

Mr Baydoun and Mr Hellings are believed to have never met the gunman but were caught up in the rampage while the killer was looking for a person.

Hoffmann was on Thursday formally interviewed by detectives and transferred to the Darwin watch house.

On Friday he appeared in Darwin Local Court via videolink from Holtze Prison and said he was 'very sorry about what’s happened.'

Darwin massacre: What happened? 

Police were called to the Palms Motel on McMinn Street in Darwin about 5.45pm, after a gunman allegedly stormed the building. 

The accused reportedly screamed the name 'Alex' as he fired shots and entered every room at the motel.

One man, taxi driver and father-of-two Hassan Baydoun died at this location, and witnesses described seeing a woman who had just been shot in the legs, who is now in a stable condition in hospital.   

Witnesses say the alleged gunman fled the scene in a Toyota ute.

A third crime scene was established at the Buff Club on the Stuart Highway, which remained open on Tuesday night as patrons were not able to access their cars. 

A man was killed at the club, with reports the shooting took place in the car park.  

Another crime scene was established at Gardens Hill Crescent, where a third man was killed, just 550m from the Palms Motel. 

Police say this is where the woman was injured, but she was carried towards the motel. 

The fourth male victim died at a private residence on Jolly Street in Woolner. 

Resident Johnny Reid said the person allegedly knocked down his door, looking straight at the recycling worker before turning and firing four shots at his friend. 

The alleged gunman was on the run for approximately an hour while roadblocks were put in place around the city.

Towards the end of the hour, he allegedly tried to enter the Peter McAulay police centre. 

He is believed to have been attempting to hand himself in, but Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said he was 'armed and kicking the door in' at the time.  

He then called Duty Superintendent Lee Morgan, presumably to hand himself in. 

The 45-year-old was arrested at 6.45pm local time at an intersection on Daly Street - about 850 metres from the Palms Motel. Video of the arrest showed the man was tasered and pulled out from under a white ute in the process. 

He is currently in hospital under police guard, and has requested to be placed into protective custody. 

The alleged gunman had been serving time in prison and was released on parole in January. 

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CCTV footage shows accused Darwin shooter 'stalking industrial site with shotgun'

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