MANHUNT AFTER GC ROADSIDE SHOOTING
Motorist’s horror as she finds victim of shooting
POLICE say a 46-year-old man shot and left on the side of a road in Helensvale yesterday was the victim of a targeted attack. They are hunting a group of up to four men who they believe were responsible for the shooting, but say there is no danger to the public. Motorist Rosie Chisholm was one of the first to spot the victim. “At first I thought there was an animal on the road,” she said.
ROSIE Chisholm was driving on Helensvale Rd on her way to an appointment shortly after 2pm yesterday afternoon when something caught her eye.
“At first I thought there was an animal on the road,” Ms Chisholm said.
“All I could see was this big fluffy thing – he was a ranga – had lots of hair. It was just hanging out everywhere.
“It looked like he had no shirt on, had tattoos all down his arms – quite a stocky guy.
“Just lying in the foetal position.”
What Ms Chisholm came across was the scene of a shooting that had happened just moments before.
Police say a 46-year-old man was shot by a group of up to four men known to him in a targeted attack.
“I didn’t know if I should stop or just keep driving, but there were a lot of people around in utes. They looked like council workers, who went and put a blanket on him,” Ms Chisholm said.
She said at that time, she didn’t know if he’d been hit by a car, or what had happened.
“I couldn’t see any blood, or cars around,” she said.
“He was just lying there – I rang my friend who works in the shopping centre and said there’s a guy lying here (on Helensvale Rd), he looks dead.”
The man was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment to non life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Ms Chisholm said when she’d heard exactly what happened, she was concerned.
“It was pretty freaky,” she said. “Frightening that it’s happening in our own suburb, so close to the school, homes and shops — especially at the time it happened too. It was just after 2pm.
“Kids walk along the road not long after the time, it’s unnerving.”
Students from Helensvale State High School said when the bell went at 3pm, signalling the end of class, teachers and police were out the front, leading them
IT WAS PRETTY FREAKY, FRIGHTENING THAT IT’S HAPPENING IN OUR OWN SUBURB, SO CLOSE TO THE SCHOOL, HOMES AND SHOP ROSIE CHISHOLM
“the long way around” to get home.
“We didn’t know what had happened until our parents texted us,” they said.
Helensvale Rd remained closed for three hours while forensics took photographs, officers collected evidence and the fire brigade hosed the scene down.
Police also went to a property on Oxley Drive where they seized a number of items.
It is understood the victim was residing at the property.
Neighbours have previously complained about dogs living at the address at least 16 times due to roaming or aggression.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were “scared stiff” to walk past the address due to the dogs and they even avoided driving past the property.
Police say the men suspected of being responsible for the attack remain on the run, but they don’t believe the public is in danger.
It’s understood the victim is known to police but they do not believe the shooting was bikie or gang-related.
“At this point in time, we have no information to believe that these males are a danger to any other member of the public,” Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said.
“I don’t want to create any fear among the public that this is an ongoing and dangerous situation.”
Investigators said the group was travelling in a silver or gold coloured hatch, and believe the same group and vehicle were seen acting suspiciously around Runaway Bay Shopping Centre on Lae Dr.
Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from Runaway Bay or Helensvale Rd before the shooting is asked to contact police or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.