CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses domestic violence.
The two women who were allegedly shot in Adelaide’s north-east on Saturday have been identified as mother and daughter.
According to 9News, the woman who was found dead at the scene in the driveway of her home was 51-year-old Aleksandra Vergulis.
It was Aleksandra’s 22-year-old daughter, Daniela Vergulis, who suffered serious injuries and is now at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
While South Australia Police confirmed in a statement that the man in the home and the women in the driveway knew each other, 9News has reported that the man was a husband to Aleksandra and a father to Daniela.
Vasilis Vergulis — Aleksandra’s husband and Daniela’s father — has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
SA Police were called to Elm Road in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburb of Campbelltown on Saturday afternoon, following reports of gunshot sounds and two women seen collapsed on the home’s driveway.
Per ABC News, one woman was found dead and the other with serious injuries upon patrols arriving to the address — now identified as mother and daughter.
According to news.com.au, the women had gunshot wounds when the police arrived for the “high-risk” operation.
“When patrols arrived, they found a woman deceased at the scene and another 22-year-old woman with serious injuries,” SA Police said in a statement.
“The injured woman was safely extracted and rushed to the Royal Hospital where she remains in stable condition.”
In response to reports a man was still inside, surrounding streets including Elm Road, Victor Road and Hill Street were blocked off, and nearby residents were evacuated as STAR Group officers undertook “lengthy negotiations” with the 51-year-old, according to ABC News.
Paramedics and firefighters were on standby.
At 5.10pm on Saturday — just under four hours after SA Police were called to the scene — the man, now identified as Vasilis, surrendered to officials and was arrested and taken into custody.
When speaking to media after the incident occurred, police told 7News Adelaide they would be returning to the premises to search the property.
“As this has just occurred, we will be now conducting an entry to the premises and conducting a search for what we suspect will be several firearms,” police said.
On Sunday, detectives continued to gather evidence at the house where the incident took place.
Vasilis has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He hasn’t applied for bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow, July 17.
A neighbour named Tony spoke to The Advertiser following the incident and said the Vergulis family had just moved in prior to the pandemic.
“It’s been a pretty horrific 24 hours,” he said.
“Most people in the street know each other.”
Image credit: Twitter.
Help is available.
- If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
- If you’d like to speak to someone about domestic violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
