Central Coast Massacre - The Massacre

The Massacre

Baker had dated one of his victims, 23-year-old Kerry Gannon, for several years. She broke off the relationship about six weeks before the shootings. It was reported that a court had ordered Baker not to contact Gannon after their break up. Channel Nine television reported that authorities had revoked Baker's weapon's permit and confiscated a cache of weapons from him weeks prior after he allegedly harassed Gannon.

The shootings started at 9:12 p.m. at the Terrigal apartment shared by Kerry Gannon and her 18-year-old sister Lisa Gannon, who was pregnant. Both were shot dead and their bodies were discovered inside the apartment. Their father, Thomas Gannon, 43, who had been visiting for a few days, was found dead in the street. 22-year-old Christopher Gall, a friend of the sisters, was severely injured, suffering a gunshot wound to the face.

Malcolm Baker then drove to the resort of Bateau Bay, where he arrived about 10 minutes later, and shot dead his 27-year-old son David. His body was discovered in the back yard of the home he shared with his wife and baby.

Baker then went to a house in Wyong, 15 kilometres north of Bateau Bay. Arriving there shortly before 10 p.m. he shot dead Ross Smith, 35, and critically injured Leslie Read, 25, at the home they shared. Read died two hours later in hospital. Smith and Baker had had a confrontation about two years prior, over a business deal gone sour.

Lisa Gannon was due to give birth to her child in December. Efforts to save her baby failed.

At 11.00 pm Malcolm Baker walked into a police station, surrendered, and handed over a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun. Baker was charged with six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.