A brawl between two stepbrothers, that ended in one allegedly shooting the other before turning the gun on himself, was sparked by a row over a Mother's Day gift.
Chris Rundle, 35, criticised his stepbrother Billy Smith, 28, after Mr Smith failed to wish his stepmother a happy Mother's Day or get her a gift.
Mr Rundle, whose biological mother lives with Mr Smith and other family members on a farm in Bingleburra, NSW, took objection to his stepbrother's bad manners, the Daily Telegraph reported.
A fight broke out shortly after Mr Rundle arrived at the property on Sunday at around midday.
Police believe Mr Smith grabbed a .22 calibre rifle and allegedly shot Mr Rundle in the chest before fleeing the property.
Mr Smith fled to a wooden area, where he attempted to take his own life but survived, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr Smith was in a critical condition on Sunday night, while Mr Rundle was serious but stable.
The horrific altercation is understood to have taken place in front of family, including the older man's mother.
According to neighbours, Mr Rundle had travelled 90km from his home on Tanilba Bay, in Port Stephens, to be with his mother on Mother's Day.
Investigations are ongoing.
On Sunday a police spokesperson said: 'An investigation is underway following a domestic-related shooting in the state's Hunter region today.
'About midday (Sunday 12 May 2019), emergency services were called to Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra, following reports two men had been shot.
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