A dramatic end to an intense 24-hour manhunt took place at a Proserpine service station on Sunday evening when police apprehended a person of interest involved in an alleged drive-by shooting just hours before.
He was also the main suspect in the alleged violent death of 44-year-old Townsville mother of four whose body was found in bushland by a group of teenagers in Bluewater on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, the alleged offender was seen driving erratically between Mackay and Bowen and at 11.30am on the Bruce Highway near Yarlboroo, 40 kilometres south of Proserpine, it is alleged that he fired shots at another motorist in what was reported to be an unrelated matter.
The Gold Coast motorist had been driving behind the suspect who was travelling at a low speed. When he tried to overtake the vehicle, it is understood that the motorist saw the shotgun and immediately ducked from sight, speeding away.
At this moment, a shot was fired and hit the rear driver’s side door.
Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said that the driver of the vehicle was “very shaken up but uninjured”.
The incident was reported to police straight away and when the suspect’s vehicle was spotted at the Proserpine service station police moved in quickly to arrest the suspect at 8.30pm Sunday evening.
“We only became aware of the incident on Saturday and had the person in question in custody by 8.30pm Sunday evening,” said Detective Shepherd.
The arrest comes just 24 hours after the body of a woman, known to be in a “recent relationship” with the alleged offender was found in Bluewater in Townsville.
There are suspicions this could be a domestic violence offence and it has been confirmed that the man was known to the police.
The autopsy is taking place today and police anticipate being able to confirm cause death afterwards.
It is understood a weapon was used but there has not yet been confirmation of whether it was the same shotgun used in the drive-by incident.
The suspect is in custody and has been transported to Mackay.
His vehicle is also in Mackay and due to undergo close examination today.
Police are calling out to anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage on Jaloonda Road at any time prior to 4.40pm on Saturday, August 13.
They would also like to see footage from the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Bowen on Sunday, August 14.
Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd at the press conference today
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