Man charged with murder of Wellington grandfather

A man has been charged with murder after grandfather was shot dead in the New South Wales Central West last year.

Frank Smith, 48, was fatally shot in the small country town of Wellington on April 27, 2020.

Detectives arrested a 31-year-old man in Wellington just before 11am yesterday following investigations.

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The man was taken to Wellington Police Station and has been charged with murder.

He has been refused bail and will appear at Dubbo Local Court today.

The motive behind the attack has not been released.

Police believe Mr Smith may have been shot on Reid Street before collapsing in the front yard of a home on Thornton Street.

A neighbour drove Mr Smith to Wellington Base Hospital, where he could not be revived and was pronounced dead an hour after arriving.

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Earlier this year, police recovered a gun linked to the alleged murder of Mr Smith, which underwent forensic and ballistic examination.

Detective Inspector Virginia Gorman said the firearm has since been "ballistically linked" with the shooting murder of Mr Smith.

"During the last 18 months police have forensically examined numerous items – including the firearm used in this murder – which enabled us to reach this point," Det Insp Gorman said.

"I would like to thank the Wellington community for their assistance throughout this investigation. Their information led investigators to establish some strong lines of inquiry which police continue to follow.

"I'm hopeful today brings some comfort to those who knew and loved Frank, however, our investigations into this shooting are ongoing and I urge anyone with information to come forward," Det Insp Gorman said.