Accused changed identity
Alleged shooter’s switch
An accused bikie charged over an alleged Gold Coast road rage shooting changed his identity after testifying in a murder case against a notorious Glitter Strip figure, it can be revealed.
Saleh Atasoy, who police say is a Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang member, is facing a string of charges after allegedly opening fire on another motorist at Merrimac last November.
Police have alleged an “extremely agitated” Atasoy pulled a gun after an altercation with the driver of a Ford Ranger on a major roundabout, leaving a bullet lodged in the vehicle.
The two drivers then engaged in a “cat-and-mouse” chase which ended near Pacific Fair shopping centre where Atasoy fled, police alleged.
Police later issued an arrest warrant for Atasoy, revealing he was wearing an ankle monitor and warning the public he may be “armed and dangerous”.
Atasoy, 37, was arrested in Sydney last month and faced Southport Magistrates Court last week charged with offences including dangerous conduct with a weapon and damaging his GPS tracker.
His lawyer told media outside court there was “more than meets the eye” to the case and Atasoy was “looking forward to his matters progressing through the courts”.
Sources said Atasoy was previously known as Salih Gaziler, who gave evidence against Gold Coast identity Jade Lacey – one half of the infamous
Lacey brothers – murder trial.
Gaziler was friends with landscaper Kevin Palmer, who was shot dead at his Nerang unit in 2007 during a house party with associates including Lacey and his younger brother Dionne.
The Laceys – sons of former Gold Coast milk mogul Ken Lacey – beat the murder rap but Dionne was convicted of manslaughter and Jade of unlawful wounding, and both spent years behind bars for the shooting and other crimes.
Business records reveal that Saleh Atasoy was known as Salih Gaziler until February 2010.
Jade Lacey was released from jail in 2018 and has sought to reinvent himself on the Gold Coast selling luxury jewellery and watches.
He established a brand called VVSOnly after securing the Australian distribution rights for American celebrity hip hop jeweller Rudolph “Freeze” Athouriste’s Miami company, whose designs have been worn by the likes of rappers Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne and Birdman.
However, the 40-year-old was arrested by gang squad cops late last year and charged with offences including cocaine possession after a “brick” of the party drug was allegedly found in a raid on a southern Gold Coast residence.
Lacey has vowed to fight the charges.
Dionne Lacey was released from jail last year after being transferred to Victoria to serve out the remainder of his sentence. in a 2009