Bob Knight - Fighting The Fight Against Guns

[j]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/family-of-slain-canberra-truck-driver-support-gun-crackdown-20130523-2k211.html

Family of slain Canberra truck driver support gun crackdown

Bob Knight's children, Katherine and David Knight. Photo: Ben Rushton

The children of slain Canberra truck driver Bob Knight have thrown their support behind a police campaign to track down illegal guns, four years after their father was killed by a stray bullet from a Sydney shootout.

A bullet from a shootout between two gangs fatally wounded the 66 year old as he sat in the cabin of his truck on a nearby road at Milperra in Sydney’s south-west in 2009.

His son, David Knight, helped launch the nationwide police initiative on Thursday, saying his father’s death wasn’t a case of being in the wrong time at the wrong place.

Bob Knight died 3 years ago when a bullet killed him whilst he was driving his truck. “Dad was where he was supposed to be and had been for the past 15 years,” he said.

“He didn’t even wear a watch. The guns shouldn’t have been there.”

Speaking on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program on Thursday, Mr Knight said Operation Unification should highlight the dangers involved with such firearms.

“You don’t need guns,” he said.

“That’s what this campaign is about, you don’t need a gun.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Mal Lanyon said the operation, involving officers from across the country for the next fortnight, would rely on public support.

“We do require information from members of the public,” he said.

“We don’t want any other families to go through what they’ve gone through.”

Operation Unification, launched in Sydney and Melbourne, commences on Friday and will run until June 7.

ACT Policing has also participated in the launch, however Acting Chief Police Officer David Pryce said the use of illegal guns in Canberra was rare.

“While ACT has seen a 34 per cent decrease in the number of reported firearm offences in the past five financial years, the use and distribution of illicit firearms is an Australia-wide issue, and one which does not operate within borders,” Commander Pryce said.

“We are pleased to be joining with Crime Stoppers to urge members of our community to provide information about people they may know or suspect have illicit firearms in their possession. It is important to remember that information can be given anonymously via Crime Stoppers, and could also result in a reward payment.”

Illicit firearms are weapons illegally imported or manufactured in Australia, stolen from registered owners or those which may be used in criminal activities.

Anyone who has information about illicit firearms is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and speak with police in confidence

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/family-of-slain-canberra-truck-driver-support-gun-crackdown-20130523-2k211.html#ixzz2UAfO32hM

Edited May 24, 2013 by j

[j]

And in another co-incidence, one of the people involved in this shooting, was themselves shot yesterday.

I will have to try and find that story. I saw it on the news last night, but haven't seen it in online media

ETA Found it

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/nsw-act/gun-crackdown-too-late-for-two-victims/story-fnii5qqu-1226649529339

TWO men were shot in separate incidents in Sydney hours before police announced a national crackdown on gun crime and illegal weapons.

As revealed in yesterday's The Daily Telegraph, police launched Operation Unification - an initiative encouraging people to dob in a gun runner - in an attempt to track down illegal firearms and their black-market supply lines. But the appeal came too late for two victims.

In the most serious incident yesterday, a man was shot outside a home at Castlereagh, in Sydney's west, just before midnight. It is understood there was a confrontation between the 38-year-old owner of the Rickards Rd home and a group of other men, who arrived unannounced.

Police believe the homeowner drew a gun and fired at least three bullets into the back of one of the men, 23-year-old Adel Elkobaili - with a bullet lodging in his spine. He was taken to Westmead Hospital for emergency surgery and remains under police guard.

Four registered firearms seized in Leeton after alleged threats were made to a woman outside a block of units on Sycamore Street..

Family's plea - help stop a bullet hitting your family

In an unusual twist Mr Elkobaili was involved in one of the state's most infamous shootings.

The Chipping Norton resident was one of the men arrested over the death of 66-year-old truck driver Bob Knight, who was killed when a bullet fired during a shootout in a Bankstown KFC carpark hit him in his truck on Milperra Rd, more than 100m away. Mr Knight's family is backing the gun crackdown.

Mr Elkobaili, who was 21 at the time of the shooting, was accused of firing a rifle at a group of men but was later acquitted of killing Mr Knight.

The other men at the Castlereagh scene were arrested and questioned by police. Several children were inside the home at the time of the shooting.

In a separate incident less than three hours earlier, a man was shot in the arm.

Police said shots were fired from a car on Boomerang Rd, Edensor Park, about 9pm. Police found a bullet lodged in a nearby house.

Later in the evening, a man turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm. Early indications suggest he suffered the injury while travelling in another car on Boomerang Rd in what appears to be a targeted shooting.

There have been 96 recorded incidents where guns have been unlawfully discharged in NSW since January 1 - 37 fewer than at this time last year. To date this financial year, police have seized 806 illegal firearms, including 769 handguns.

But there are plenty more out there and it was hoped the phone-in scheme would reduce the numbers, NSW State Crime Commander Mark Jenkins said at the operation's launch yesterday.

"We don't necessarily need to know who you are, as long as you call us to tell us where to find that illegal gun," he said. "Your phone call could save someone's life."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/nsw-act/gun-crackdown-too-late-for-two-victims/story-fnii5qqu-1226649529339#ixzz2UAgdpNA9

Edited May 24, 2013 by j

[tdierikx]

Karma is a bitch, isn't it?

T.

[Bilbo Baggins]

What a coincidence. 21 then now 23 and still involved in crime.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[perrin]

It always makes me so sad to go into puppy problems and see his username at the top.

Such a senseless waste of a life.

[Miss Danni]

Yep, this happened just down the road from us, cops and forensics everywhere, plus we heard the gunshots but that is nothing unusual at Castlereagh at night!

Bob was a friend and we were all very upset when the pond scum got off the murder charges. I am very happy to find out that one of the vermin involved has now been shot just down the road from us. I'm just hoping that he doesn't ever get better.

Go Karma! Good start!

[j]

Karma is a bitch, isn't it?

T.

It sure is. Sometimes it's just a shame that it doesn't catch up a bit quicker though.

[Kirislin]

I bet he's feeling really sorry for himself right now too. I wonder if it will make him stop and think about the innocent man he killed though. Probably not.

[griff]

Was just cleaning out my meassage box and there was a lovely note from Bob to me , of cause reading it I was .

Way to go Knight Family supporting gun crackdown to many loonies out there playing gangsters ,this is not The old Chicago.