Father allegedly killed wife, shot daughter

Police were called to a “high-risk” operation on Elm Street, at Campbelltown in Adelaide’s northeast, about 1.20pm Saturday, following reports of gunshots.

Officers arrived to find a mother and daughter collapsed on the driveway of the home with gunshot wounds.

“When patrols arrived, they found a woman deceased at the scene and another 22-year-old woman with serious injuries,” South Australia Police said in a statement.

The deceased 51-year-old woman, identified by the Adelaide Advertiser as Aleksandra Vergulis, was allegedly shot by her husband Vasilis Vergulis and succumbed to her injuries.

Their daughter Daniela Vergulis, 22, was allegedly shot by her father, and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries, where she remains in a stable condition. 

Mrs Vergulis worked as an executive assistant at the University of South Australia.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she had previously worked as a procurement officer at the Defence department.

Her LinkedIn profile also paints her as a proud mother, who had celebrated her daughter’s recent career success.

According to LinkedIn, her daughter Daniela works as a legal secretary in the Crown Solicitor’s office, after graduating from the University of SA last year with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Psychological Science.

After graduating, she wrote on LinkedIn that she was “looking forward to continuing my career in law, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!”

“I am so grateful for my loved ones who have supported me through this journey,” she wrote.

A proud “mama” commented on her post.

“You are brilliant, able and ambitious, an achiever,” Mrs Vergulis wrote.

“It was a big pleasure seeing you grow and turn into the beautiful young lady, an educated professional that you are today.

“I bless you with all that you need to earn many more achievements and feasts in life ahead and I will always be there to support you.”

During the siege, police cordoned off the home and surrounding streets while an unarmed man remained inside the house.

After more than three hours of negotiations, the man handed himself into police and was taken into custody.

The 51-year-old man from Campbellton was charged with murder and attempted murder.

He did not receive police bail and will face Magistrates Court on Monday.

Originally published as Woman killed in Adelaide shooting before husband arrested following three-hour standoff