A $500,000 reward is on offer to help crack Australia’s only unsolved police shooting investigation following the attempted murder of a police officer in Logan 21 years ago.
Around 8.25am on 24 March 1999, two men broke into a bank in Browns Plains and held all those inside at gunpoint.
One of two police offers who attended was shot.
The bullet entered through his groin and exited via his buttocks.
Police say the officer was in the process of raising his hands when he was shot.
The other officer had gone to the back of the bank building.
Another two shots were fired and bullets narrowly missed the second officer, spraying him with glass particles from a window.
The offenders ran, taking two staff members as hostages. On reaching Browns Plains Road, the offenders stole a car at gunpoint. The car was later abandoned at Park Ridge.
At the time of the incident the offenders were wearing off-white plastic masks, surgical style gloves and were seen to be carrying two-way radios.
The officer who was shot later underwent emergency surgery, where it was determined the projectile had missed major arteries by millimetres. The stolen police firearm, a Sturm Ruger .357 six-shot revolver is yet to be recovered (a replica image is pictured).
An initial reward of $100,000 was increased to $250,000 in 2004, however, with the case still open, the reward amount has been boosted to $500,000 from today.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Condon said it was hoped the increased reward and passage of time would finally lead to an arrest in the case.
“There are now 500,000 reasons for someone to come forward,” Assistant Commissioner Condon said.
“On the day, the police officers were just doing their job, responding to a very serious incident – trying to keep the community safe.
“The community expects these cowardly acts to be fully investigated and these offenders brought to justice no matter how long it takes. Police will never give up and we have new information that is very promising.
“We urge anyone who may have any information in relation to this matter to come forward and contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
In addition to the increased reward, which remains at the Police Commissioner’s discretion, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.
