Canberra man remanded in custody after alleged shooting and ramming incident

A 20-year-old Spence resident has been refused bail following allegations he repeatedly rammed and fired a weapon at another vehicle in Belconnen on Monday evening. The man appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, 29 May, facing charges of discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle and furious driving.

Magistrate James Stewart rejected the bail application, remanding the accused in custody pending further court proceedings.

Details of the alleged incident

According to Australian Federal Police (AFP) allegations, the incident occurred on Ginninderra Drive at Florey on the evening of Monday, 25 May. The accused allegedly drove a Ford Focus and encountered occupants he knew who were travelling in a Holden Cruze.

Police allege the driver of the Ford Focus deliberately rammed the Holden on multiple occasions before discharging a firearm at the vehicle. Despite the severity of the alleged attack, none of the occupants in the Holden sustained injuries.

The Holden was subsequently discovered in a gutter near the intersection of Ginninderra Drive and Kerrigan Street after the vehicle's occupants alerted authorities to the incident.

Arrest and investigation

The 20-year-old was arrested early on Friday morning when AFP officers stopped an Audi on the Federal Highway. During the search, police allegedly recovered a Ford key believed to be associated with the vehicle used in the earlier incident.

The swift arrest came less than 24 hours after the alleged ramming and shooting, indicating a rapid police response to the serious vehicle-based assault allegations.

Charges and legal proceedings

The accused faces formal charges for discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle and furious driving—offences that carry significant penalties under ACT criminal law. The refusal of bail suggests magistrates found sufficient grounds to believe the accused poses a risk if released, or that he may not appear for future court proceedings.

The case represents another concerning incident of alleged vehicle-based violence in the ACT capital region, adding to ongoing community concerns about road safety and firearm-related crimes in Canberra.

Original reporting: ABC News