‘It’s quite impressive’: Man shot by home owner in violent home invasion, couple fight for life

Updated June 4, 2026 — 12:19pm,first published June 4, 2026 — 8:48am

A suspected home invader, who inflicted life-threatening stab wounds on an elderly couple at a rural property in the NSW Northern Tablelands, was shot by one of the residents before emergency services arrived, police allege.

Keith Blessing, 75, and his wife, Di, were at their property in Torrington, 65 kilometres south-west of Tenterfield, when Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, allegedly forced entry into the home about 12.15am on Thursday, stabbing her in the chest and slashing him across the abdomen.

Keith grabbed a knife from the kitchen, police allege, and wounded Trethewey, who retreated to the verandah.

Keith called Triple Zero, loaded a rifle and allegedly shot Trethewey in the stomach when he tried to re-enter the house, police allege.

Police from Tenterfield and Glen Innes, and NSW ambulance paramedics rushed to the home, where the couple were treated for stab wounds before being flown to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. They were both undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday morning.

Trethewey was not known to the couple, police believe. He was taken to Armidale Hospital under police guard in a serious but stable condition.

New England Police District Commander Superintendent Chris McKinnon said Trethewey had been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder, and would face court once he was medically cleared.

A bail court appearance slated for Thursday morning was cancelled after a request for a bedside hearing was refused.

“He certainly did his best, obviously under very difficult circumstances, to defend himself and his partner,” he said. “It’s quite impressive that he was able to do that, given the extent of the injuries that he had suffered.”

Norm, who described himself as Keith’s lifelong “best mate”, said the couple lead a “peaceful, calm” life at their rural property, and “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.

“Some mongrel comes in and does this to him … they’re bloody crook, I cannot believe [it],” Norm told 2GB radio.

“They put fruit out the front for people to come and get, so they can look after their neighbours and all of this stuff, bloody hell.”

Di Blessing posts regularly in the local community’s social media group, including offering excess fruit from her pear and apple trees to neighbours.

A crime scene has been established at the property, and an investigation into the circumstances leading to the alleged home invasion is under way.