A 34-year old woman has been fatally shot and killed while she was sitting inside her parked car in South Mackay yesterday afternoon.
The woman’s 11-year-old daughter and her 12-year-old-friend were also inside the car, and fled the vehicle after the shooting, unharmed.
On Wednesday, police arrested and charged a 31-year-old man with murder. Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel told the press that the man was known to police, but their interactions with him had been “minimal”.
“We’ve had some interaction with that man, very minimal, and no recent calls for service in relation to either that man (or) the deceased woman,” she said.
She explained that the victim and the two girls were “heading out to some sort of sporting activity” at the time of the alleged attack at 4:30pm yesterday.
Police are working to determine the motives behind the shooting.
“The motives behind the attack on this woman and man are unknown,” Superintendent Novosel said yesterday.
“There will be further investigations that are obviously undertaken to try and determine what’s brought about this incident.”
The perpetrator is also being charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot a 66-year-old nearby resident, who had approached the scene after the two girls sought his assistance.
The 66-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening wounds to his hand and sternum and was later taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Superintendent Graeme Paine reiterated Superintendent Novosel’s comments, adding, “There is no detail for any motive or any reasons for what has occurred.”
“The children were young teenagers,” he said. “It is an absolutely shocking thing to have experienced. They were obviously very fearful, they went to seek help … that help was provided and the man who gave help has been injured.”
The 31-year-old shooter was found last night outside a fast-food restaurant on the Bruce Highway, where he was arrested by police. He is scheduled to appear before the Mackay Magistrates Court today.