A 22-year-old has been charged with murder more than one week after a Bahrs Scrub man, 35, was allegedly shot dead.
Emergency services were called to Hugh Muntz Park, Beenleigh at about 10.40pm on 2 December to reports a man had been shot.
At the time, police said they found a 35-year-old man who appeared to have been shot in the chest.
Officers and paramedics treated the man at the scene, but he died shortly after 10.45pm.
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.
Police allege officers “successfully deployed” a Tyre Deflation Device (TDD) before the car was abandoned and a man fled on foot into nearby scrub.
Dog squad officers swept the area and arrested a 22-year-old Beenleigh man shortly after, who police allege was hiding underwater amongst the reeds near Saltwater Park.
“A subsequent search of the man allegedly uncovered ammunition,” the police statement read.
“A firearm was also located discarded nearby.”
A crime scene was declared on the car.
On 4 December, the Beenleigh man was charged with four offences: unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of weapon (firearm), possessing explosives (ammunition) and receiving tainted property.
Today, 10 December, police said they this morning also charged the man with one count of murder.
He is scheduled to appear before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court this afternoon.
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 assitance 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.
