MEANDER Valley Mayor Mark Shelton yesterday appealed to his community to avoid blame- laying and speculation over the shooting death of Westbury resident Nicholas Whiteley.
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"This is so beyond our community's experience that it's easy to be drawn into guesswork and rumour, as you try to get your mind around how such a thing could have happened," he said.
"I'm not sure speculation does any good in these circumstances though - hearsay and interpretation can so often fuel the flames of people's distress."
Cr Shelton said the police officer involved and the family and friends of the 21-year-old would "carry this tragedy with them forever".
Mr Whiteley's funeral will be held at Longford this afternoon.
His relatives, friends and colleagues yesterday placed death notices paying tribute to him and expressing their condolences to his grieving family.
Cr Shelton said it was now important to remember the matter was subject to an independent coronial inquiry and that "due process and the law would prevail".
"What we need to do now is to pull together and support each other, particularly those most affected," he said.
"Westbury is a strong community and its strength comes from its togetherness."
He said agencies including Tasmania Police, the Health Department and Meander Valley Council were currently working together to provide assistance to those who needed it.
Deloraine police acting Inspector Craig Joel said it was important for people to know counselling was available if they needed assistance with their distress.
• Community health counsellors are available at the Deloraine District Hospital on 6362 5005, the Westbury Community Health Centre on 6393 5800, or the Launceston Community Health Centre at Kings Meadows on 6336 5155.
