A 26-year-old Nunamara man was shot in the leg while sitting in a parked car on Pinkard Street about 7.30pm. 

Tasmania Police Inspector Ruth Orr said the victim had been sitting in his car when he was confronted by a man.

It is believed a verbal altercation led to a small caliber gun being fired through the open drivers side window. 

The alleged offender then fled on foot, before being picked up by a second man believed to be driving a white SUV.  

The victim was treated at the scene for a gun shot wound to his upper right thigh, before being taken to Launceston General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

He remains in a stable condition after undergoing surgery on Saturday. 

Inspector Orr could not confirm if the incident was related to a violent home invasion that occurred at nearby Kay Street, Kings Meadows on Wednesday. 

“Both incidents are being investigated. Whether or not they are related, I am not able to comment on at this time,” Inspector Orr said. 

“I guess it is a possibility, but given that both matters are unresolved and under investigation, I couldn’t say either way.”

It is understood a number of Pinkard Street residents witnessed the shooting. 

Inspector Orr said some mistook the gunshot for a car backfiring. 

“There were a couple of people who heard the gunshot or the firearm discharge,” she said. 

“People have gone outside and looked out their windows and we do have a couple of witnesses who saw some of the incident, but not all of it.”

Inspector Orr said it was very concerning that the shooting occurred in a quiet, residential area. 

“It is the sort of street where kids play outside, after tea before they go to bed,” she said. 

“It’s summer holidays and the weather has been quite warm.

“I really feel that it is by good luck that no innocent people have been caught up in whatever it is that has gone on between the parties involved.”

Inspector Orr said police were treating the shooting as an isolated incident.

“I would take the opportunity to reassure the public that it’s an isolated incident,” she said.

“At this time inquiries would tend us to believe that there’s been some sort of altercation between parties that are known to each other. 

“Unfortunately there may be an element of our community that feel that this is an appropriate way in which to act to resolve differences.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.