His son was shot dead by an air rifle while drinking alcohol with his friends - but the victim's father says he isn't angry with the teenager who pulled the trigger.
Shaun Townsley snr said lessons needed to be learned from the backyard shooting which ended with his 18-year-old son Shaun's death. But he was more disappointed than angry.
"Disappointed that it happened. But you can't be mad at them for being young, dumb and stupid."
Despite frantic efforts by his friends and others who rushed to help, Shaun Townsley jnr died soon after he arrived at hospital on January 13. An autopsy revealed the pellet pierced his heart.
Police have yet to decide if charges will be laid over the incident, but Mr Townsley told the Herald yesterday the friend who fired the rifle would live with it forever.