A Beenleigh man, 22, has been charged after a man was allegedly shot dead at Hugh Muntz Park on 2 December.
Police say they are treating the death as homicide. However, no homicide-related charges have been laid.
Rather, the Beenleigh man was charged with weapon possession, driving and stolen property offences.
Police have said they remain unsure how the men are connected, but have confirmed neither lived at the park, which is home to one of the city’s biggest homeless encampments.
Emergency services were called to Hugh Muntz Park, Beenleigh at about 10.40pm on 2 December to 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.
This morning (4 December), police said they have since 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.
He was scheduled to appear at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court today.
Police said the white 2021 Kia Stonic was reported stolen during a burglary at an Oberon Way, Oxenford address sometime between 12.40pm and 1.50pm on 24 November.
“Investigations continue into the man’s death,” a police statement released this morning read.
Detective acting superintendent Paul Fletcher said at a press conference 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.
“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.
