NSW: Psychiatric help ordered for alleged teenage gunman

AAP General News (Australia)
12-27-2006
NSW: Psychiatric help ordered for alleged teenage gunman

Reissuing, inserting dropped word in intro



SYDNEY, Dec 27 AAP - A Sydney teenager charged after allegedly firing a rifle at police
at a bus carrying seven passengers will get psychiatric treatment in prison before for
his next court appearance.

Todd William Carney, 19, from Miller, allegedly shot at police and a government bus
at Hinchinbrook, in Sydney's west, about 9.50pm (AEDT) yesterday.

Police said nobody was injured, but a number of bullets hit a police car and the bus,
while shots fired at a police helicopter missed.

The incident occurred after the teenager led police to Hinchinbrook after refusing
to stop his car for highway patrol officers 30km away on the M2 motorway at Winston Hills.

It's alleged Carney stopped at Hinchinbrook, took a rifle from his car and started shooting.

Officers on foot were forced to take cover from the bullets, having exited their cars.

Carney surrendered to them soon after in nearby parkland without the officers firing
a shot, police said.

Carney's brother Daniel told reporters outside Parramatta Local Court today his brother
wanted police to kill him.

He welcomed the psychiatric treatment, blaming drugs for his brother's paranoia.

"He just needs help, he needs people to talk to him, he needs people that he can trust,"

Mr Carney said.

"He don't trust no-one. He thinks people are against him."

Magistrate Robyn Denes refused Carney bail today, ordering that he have psychiatric
treatment before appearing in Campbelltown Local Court on January 8.

Carney has been charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent to resist arrest,
firing a firearm in a public place, using an unauthorised firearm, possessing an unregistered
firearm and driving dangerously.

He was not required to plead.

AAP pc/hn/jm/de

KEYWORD: CARNEY NIGHTLEAD (REISSUING)

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