Fourth charged as investigations continue into Newcastle fatal shooting

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a fourth person as investigations continue into the fatal shooting of a man at Newcastle earlier this year.
About 12.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, emergency services were called to a unit at Darby Street, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a 40-year-old man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
The man has been formally identified as Wesley ‘Wes’ Prentice from Rutherford.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Hibbard.
So far during the investigation, strike force detectives have charged three people – two men and a woman – over their alleged roles in the incident. They remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, police stopped and arrested a 35-year-old woman at Maude Street, Belmont, about 9.15am yesterday (Tuesday 14 December 2021).
She was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
The Charlestown woman was refused bail and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court via AVL today (Wednesday 15 December 2021).
Inquiries under Strike Force Hibbard are continuing.