Australia AUSTRALIA - 4YO AUGUST (GUS) Missing from rural family home in Outback, Yunta, South Australia, 27th Sept 2025

[spiritualdreaming]

They would be doing their job a lot better if they honoured the published police warning. This was a so-called "Senior Reporter" who trespassed.

I am also pretty sure in a video about the case that I saw a sign saying "Keep Out" on one of the property gates. It didn't say "Keep Out (except the DM)" ... if I see the sign/video again I will link it.

imo

Yes I do totally understand, maybe DM will ease off a bit now.

I haven't seen a keep out, but on the main gate to Oak Park is says Road Closed.

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[Springs4]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

I would take it with a grain of salt that the gun was actually "pulled' on the trespassing journalist, as opposed to Josie simply carrying it at the time, then waving it as she told the ,,'journalist' to go. One thing to know, if this isn't obvious from the subsequent so called 'report, is that DM writes headlines for clicks, not truth.

No respected journalist would make the kind of efforts that the tabloid DM does to disrespect a grieving family's wishes and trespass on their property.

Agree that the DM reporter is out of line going on to a property that the owners have requested them to stay away from. However, here is the general public out here, all calling out for more info so definitely encouraging media to dig further.
As for the gun, country people grow up with guns, are taught safety & gun 'etiquette' from a young age & are aware of the different types of weapons. You don't go wandering around the station verandah with a gun & you certainly don't wave it around without intention.
MOO - the threat was implied & intentional <modsnip>
Again MOO

 

[Dotta]

I wonder if the person with a gun will lose permit?

I mean,
the permit for the weapon is for specific reason - e.g. hunting, etc.

Never to threaten people.

How scary

Shouldn't guns be kept under lock and key
if not used for specific reasons the document permits?

Just my opinion.

 

[BreakingNews]

It was most definitely lifted and gestured towards the people and with bullets in the other hand. A pretty hairy moment, I think DM and other media outlets might think twice now on how they approach the Murray family.

How did the DM get a photo of the back of Shannon holding the gun??? If she was walking away, why wasn't the photographer also walking away? AI maybe? I'd be angry too if journos kept turning up when you have consistently been asked for privacy. The DM of all msm

 

[SouthAussie]

Yes I do totally understand, maybe DM will ease off a bit now.

I expect they will not trespass any more (at least, in this case).

But it would be great if they were charged with trespass. Enough is enough. Leave the grieving family alone.

imo

 

[spiritualdreaming]

How did the DM get a photo of the back of Shannon holding the gun??? If she was walking away, why wasn't the photographer also walking away? AI maybe? I'd be angry too if journos kept turning up when you have consistently been asked for privacy. The DM of all msm

I guess they kept the cameras rolling while retreating to the car. It's actually Josie and not Shannon with the gun.

 

[spiritualdreaming]

I expect they will not trespass any more (at least, in this case).

But it would be great if they were charged with trespass. Enough is enough. Leave the grieving family alone.

imo

Absolutely leave the family alone.

But if trespassing charges are laid, one would think charges would have to be laid regarding the gun.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Just because the public might want to know more doesn't give journalists the right to trespass on a property.

 

[Andreee]

IMO a senior reporter, even from the DM, will know very well that they should not trespass on private property, especially when told to by signs, LE and the property owners. What did the reporter hope to gain?! A reaction?

 

[SouthAussie]

But if trespassing charges are laid, one would think charges would have to be laid regarding the gun.

Maybe not. The DM was not authorised to be there. All media had been asked to stay away. The situation wouldn't have happened if they didn't (knowingly) trespass.

The ammunition seems to have been kept separate from the firearm, and the firearm was under the control of the registered owner - on their own private property.

SAPOL Rural Security

imo

 

[Total_C]

For anyone following along who is not familiar with Australian firearm culture and law, this idea floating around that it is somehow normal or acceptable to bring out a firearm because someone may be trespassing really is not how it works here.

Australia does not treat guns the way some other countries do. They are tightly controlled and expected to be handled calmly, securely and only for very specific authorised reasons. We do not have a mindset where property owners reach for a firearm simply because someone is on their land. That is not our culture and it is not how the system operates.

I will give a personal example. Years ago in NSW, I knew someone who fired a gun to stop a neighbour’s dog that was chasing his horse. He assumed it was a rural setting and he was protecting livestock, but it was technically considered a populated area. Police did not shrug it off. He ended up losing his firearms. That is how seriously this country treats firearm use.

So when I see posts implying it is fine to grab a gun in a heated moment because of a possible trespass, I think that needs to be challenged. Firearms here are not tools for emotional situations or to make a point. They are not props and they definitely are not meant to be introduced into tense interactions.

Whatever someone’s view is of a reporter turning up uninvited, normalising the idea that introducing a firearm into that scenario is somehow acceptable is dangerous thinking and completely out of step with Australian expectations around gun safety and responsibility.

 

[Marg944]

At least the weather seems to be mild today in Yunta

Yunta Local Weather Forecast | Elders Weather

7 day forecast, current, today and yesterday weather rain and temperature readings, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset and detailed local weather almanac

www.eldersweather.com.au

 

[SouthAussie]

So when I see posts implying it is fine to grab a gun in a heated moment because of a possible trespass, I think that needs to be challenged. Firearms here are not tools for emotional situations or to make a point. They are not props and they definitely are not meant to be introduced into tense interactions.

Nobody is implying that it is fine to 'grab a gun'. But the situation wouldn't have happened if the DM were not trespassing on the private property of a grieving family. Let's place the blame where it lies.

There is no way that a senior reporter did not know they were trespassing. Want to extend condolences? Write a letter. Send flowers.

imo

 

[Mauig’ma]

Nobody is implying that it is fine to 'grab a gun'. But the situation wouldn't have happened if the DM were not trespassing on the private property of a grieving family. Let's place the blame where it lies.

imo

Doesn’t matter imo. It did happen and there’s NO excuse to show force with a gun. Plain and simple. The blame is on Josie. Imo. Shows some major anger issues and a gun isn’t going to solve anything but the potential of injuring someone. Media or not it’s WRONG & dangerous moo

 

[SouthAussie]

Doesn’t matter imo. It did happen and there’s NO excuse to show force with a gun. Plain and simple. The blame is on Josie. Imo. Shows some major anger issues and a gun isn’t going to solve anything but the potential of injuring someone. Media or not it’s WRONG & dangerous moo

The DM trespassing was the first WRONG. Maybe they shouldn't have done it?
Then they exacerbate the situation by publishing what happened when they trespassed.

imo

 

[spiritualdreaming]

Maybe not. The DM was not authorised to be there. The situation wouldn't have happened if they didn't (knowingly) trespass.

The ammunition seems to have been kept separate from the firearm, and the firearm was under the control of the registered owner.

SAPOL Rural Security

imo

If a burglar came to my house it's considered trespassing, but I'm sure not within the law to pull a gun out and gesture to them to leave my property.

Unfortunately 2 wrongs doesn't make it right.

 

[spiritualdreaming]

Doesn’t matter imo. It did happen and there’s NO excuse to show force with a gun. Plain and simple. The blame is on Josie. Imo. Shows some major anger issues and a gun isn’t going to solve anything but the potential of injuring someone. Media or not it’s WRONG & dangerous moo

Yes it definitely shows an anger issue and the authority of possible coercive control happening within the household.

Josie's wife Shannon explained she had the situation under control, however, when Ms Bray appropriately identified herself, Josie appeared to become enraged and waved the gun around.

Also within the same article my heart absolutely bleeds for Josh, all he probably wants to do is keep looking for his son which should be within his rights....but appears that is not even allowed to happen.

Josh has been banned from the homestead,' one friend told Daily Mail. 'There is a lot of emotions, and things have been said that can't be taken back.'

Regardless of what's been said Gus deserves to be respected found and laid to rest in a respectful way if he is no longer on earthside IMO

Gus Lamont's grandmother waves pump-action shotgun at reporter

Daily Mail went to speak to Josie Murray on Wednesday afternoon but after we offered our sympathies to the family, she waved a gun.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Andreee]

Really?

The Advertiser says this morning that Josie asked the reporter and photographer if they wanted to have the police on them because they had been warned not to go there.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/grandmother-of-missing-fouryearold-gus-lamont-brandishes-shotgun-at-reporter/news-story/79dd05e96be7b447c0fe0d9c26adf4ee?amp

I think, at this point, I will agree to disagree with you about this matter. We evidently do not see the intentional trespass in the same way. Provocative is how I see it. Wanting a reaction, getting it, then publishing it.

I think the tresspassing has been established as a fact. And I agree that it was not done with good intentions.

 

[hoodunnit]

Pulling a gun on someone in this country is not acceptable. Period. Josie, regardless of the circumstances shows serious anger issues.
<modsnip: Not victim friendly>

 

[nao]

Moo.. guess you didn't read the last DM article about Josh's personality