Two men were allegedly shot dead in separate incidents last week – both of which police say they are treating as homicides.
One incident involved emergency services arriving at Rowanda Street, Slacks Creek at about 1.15am on 5 December, where police said they found a man who appeared to have been shot.
The 41-year-old Slacks Creek man was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition, but died later that morning.
“Initial investigations indicate this was a targeted incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” police said in a statement.
On the afternoon of 8 December, police said they charged a Carina Heights woman, 28, with one count each of murder, unlawful use of a car, and arson involving a vehicle.
An Eagleby man, 42, was also charged – with one count each of accessory to murder, arson, driving a car without a licence, driving with a cancelled number plate, and two counts of failure to appear and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
In a separate incident days earlier, on 2 December, police were called to Hugh Muntz Park, Beenleigh at about 10.40pm following reports a man had been shot.
“Officers attended where they located a 35-year-old Bahrs Scrub man with a wound to his chest, in the vicinity of Morrison Lane,” police said the following morning.
“Officers and paramedics treated the man at the scene and a crime-scene was declared around 10.45pm. The man was declared deceased shortly after.”
Further investigations led police to Labrador on the Gold Coast, where officers said they spotted an allegedly stolen white Kia Stonic sedan that police allege left the Beenleigh crime scene soon after the shooting.
After a “short pursuit”, police allege officers “successfully deployed” a Tyre Deflation Device (TDD) at 1.30am before the car was abandoned and a man fled on foot into nearby scrub.
Dog squad officers swept the area and, at about 2.15am, arrested a 22-year-old Beenleigh who police allege was hiding underwater amongst the reeds near Saltwater Park.
He was allegedly found with bullets in his clothing.
The morning of 4 December, police said they charged the Beenleigh man with one count each of unlawful use of a car, unlawful possession of a gun, possessing explosives (ammunition) and receiving tainted property.
On 10 December, police said they also charged the man with one count of murder.
Detective acting superintendent Paul Fletcher said at a press conference last week that police were not yet sure whether the Bahrs Scrub man and Beenleigh man were known to each other.
“We’re still trying to establish their connection to each other and why they were conversing.”
He said neither of the men lived at the park, which is home to one of the city’s biggest homeless encampments.
“Police are appealing for any public assistance for information around this matter,” Mr Fletcher said.
“If they have any dashcam footage or information, can you please come forward to police,” he said.
He commended the officers who acted “bravely and swiftly”, including the dog squad officers who searched bushland at night searching for an allegedly armed offender.
“…and bringing that person into custody rapidly and safely,” he said.
Investigation into both alleged shootings are ongoing, according to police.
