Overview
- A 34-year-old man allegedly forced entry to the Blessings' Torrington home shortly after midnight on Thursday and stabbed the 75-year-old man and his 72-year-old wife before the attacker retreated to the verandah and was shot when he tried to re-enter.
- Police charged Joshua Dylan Trethewey with two counts of wounding with intent to murder; he remains in hospital under police guard and his court appearance was deferred for medical treatment.
- Keith and Dianne Blessing were treated at the scene, airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital for emergency surgery, and are reported to be in critical but stable condition while their family seeks privacy as they recover.
- Investigators say no items were stolen, the attacker is not believed to be known to the couple, a crime scene was established, and police will assess whether the homeowner's use of a licensed firearm met legal thresholds for reasonable self-defence.
- The incident has left the tiny Torrington community shocked, prompted a public safety meeting to discuss security measures such as lights and cameras, and renewed local debate about self-defence laws and rural safety.