UPDATE 2PM:
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Tasmania Police has charged a 25-year-old man after an 11-year-old girl was shot at Deloraine.
The man was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and recklessly discharging a firearm.
He will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at 4pm.
The young victim is in a stable condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
It is understood she is a student at Deloraine Primary School and support is being offered to her classmates.
“This is a terribly sad time for the family and the school community. The department is ensuring professional support is being provided to all students and staff who may be affected,” an Education Department spokesperson said.
“All schools have measures in place to ensure the welfare of staff and students is prioritised during difficult times such as this.”
UPDATE 11AM:
An 11-year-old girl is in a stable condition after she was shot at Deloraine on Tuesday night following an alleged dispute between her mum and another woman.
The young girl was in a car with her mum, her uncle and her four-year-old cousin when a 25-year-old man allegedly fired a gun at the vehicle – shooting the girl in her face.
The girl was flown to Melbourne in a critical condition after bullet fragments lodged in her heart.
Officers arrested the alleged shooter and police said he was assisting them with their inquiries on Wednesday.
Police allege the mother of the gunshot victim had been involved in a physical altercation with the alleged shooter’s girlfriend at a supermarket earlier in the night.
The shooting happened about 50 metres from the 25-year-old man’s home in Stagg Court, police said.
The gun has not been located but police said they believe a small-calibre rifle was used.
The two women involved in a confrontation at Woolworths received minor injuries including a bite mark and a cut to the head.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector John King said the man in custody had not been formally charged but was being interviewed.
Detective Inspector King said police were in contact with the young girl’s mother.
“Local detectives have travelled to Victoria to speak with her, provide support and gain witness evidence,” he said.
EARLIER:
An 11-year-old girl was shot in the face at Deloraine overnight.
Police were called to the Deloraine Medical Centre at 9.10pm on Tuesday where a girl was being treated for a suspected gunshot wound.
The young girl was taken to the Launceston General Hospital before being flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne where she is in a stable condition.
Police are alleging a 25-year-old man shot at a vehicle in Stagg Court as a result of a confrontation.
The man is in police custody but has not yet been formally interviewed.
Neighbours say they did not hear gunshots but heard "a heap of yelling" and then "police were everywhere".
IN OTHER NEWS
Another neighbour said it was "daunting" to have it happen so close to home.
"Especially after what happened in Sydney with that other little girl," they said.
Investigations are ongoing, with police continuing to interview witnesses and conduct forensic analysis.
Anyone with information on the alleged shooting can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector John King will address the media at 11am on Wednesday.