A DEPARTMENT of Environment and Heritage worker is believed to have been shot dead while attending a property in Moree.
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Police confirmed a man had been killed at a property about 50km north of Moree after an emergency call just before 6pm on Monday night.
A source at the department said the worker was a father-of-six and had been serving a notice on an elderly man at the property when he was shot.
The man was receiving the notice because he was suspected of illegally clearing vegetation.
Another worker was with the victim when he was shot, the department source – who did not wish to be named – said.
He is understood to be in shock but is otherwise uninjured.
The elderly man had been served previous notices for illegal clearing on his property and around the Croppa Creek area.
The victim, who is understood to be in his late 40s, had informed the man there would be a formal inspection of his property.
Fairfax Media understands the workers were shot at multiple times.
A crime scene was established as investigators moved in.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.