Queensland detectives have charged a 41-year-old Tewantin man with 15 offences following a shooting and armed robbery incidents in Palmview and Landsborough yesterday afternoon that left a young woman dead and a 62-year-old man with a gunshot wound.
Police will allege that at around 12.10pm on Easter Monday, a red Porsche Macan caused a six-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway at Palmview. The driver of the Porsche Macan allegedly lost control of the vehicle and struck the passenger side of a Nissan Micra.
A passenger of the Micra, a 22-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman, died later of her injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Micra, a 22-year-old Strathpine man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
Police will further allege the offender – armed with a firearm, exited the Porsche and approached a white SsangYong Rexton. The driver of the Rexton, a 62-year-old Branyan man, had stopped to render assistance to people involved in the crash. After an altercation, the offender allegedly shot the Rexton driver in the arm and drove off in the man’s vehicle. The 62-year-old man was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Officers located the stolen Rexton crashed on Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough at around 12.35pm. Police say the armed offender then approached a grey Mazda 3. The driver of the Mazda 3, a 16-year-old Newmarket girl, and her parents, ran from the vehicle and were not physically injured.
Officers arrested the man (pictured) around 10 minutes later at the intersection of Steve Irwin Way and Forestry Road, Landsborough without further incident. The firearm was recovered inside the vehicle.
“The offender sustained head and body injuries in the traffic incidents. He was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he remains under police guard,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
The 41-year-old Tewantin man has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence, and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, going armed as to cause fear, unlawful possession of firearm used to commit indictable offence, possess tainted property, authority required to possess explosives, driver fail to remain at incident, and driving suspended licence.
He is expected to appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court later today.
Three crime scenes were declared and processed by Forensic Crash Unit and Scenes of Crime officers. Police say their investigations are continuing with further charges likely.
Police urge any witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam vision to come forward.
