Man charged with murder over suburban park shooting
Laine Clark |
A man who tried to escape police by hiding in a pond has been charged with murder after a fatal shooting in a suburban park.
Paul Tagirara, 22, was arrested after a man was fatally shot in the chest at Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, on December 2.
He was initially charged with a number of offences including possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Following further investigations, homicide detectives on Wednesday charged Tagirara with murder.
Emergency services were called to Hugh Muntz Park about 10.40pm and found a 35-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his chest last Tuesday 2.
Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene, Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Fletcher said.
Police launched a search for a stolen white Kia seen in the area at the time of the shooting, tracking the vehicle to the northern Gold Coast about 1.30am.
The driver fled into bushland and dog squad officers swept the area.
He was found “hiding underwater amongst the reeds” near popular dog reserve Saltwater Park.
A firearm was found nearby and ammunition was in his possession, police said.
“I would like to commend the police who acted bravely and swiftly to bring this matter under control in a very short space of time,” Det Fletcher said at the time.
“Obviously, anything where you have an armed offender running from police, they are erratic.
“They can do a number of different things under pressure, so also, running through bushland with low visibility makes it extremely difficult for police.”
It was one of two fatal shootings in days south of Brisbane.
Macey Collins, 28, was charged with murder after a 41-year-old man was killed in a targeted attack at Slacks Creek on December 5.
The fatal attacks rattled the community and prompted calls from Logan Mayor Jon Raven for greater police resourcing.
Tagirara, of Beenleigh, was initially charged with car theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm and ammunition and faced court on December 4.
He was on a return-to-prison warrant and remanded in custody.
Tagirara did not enter a plea and the charges were remanded until January 22, with Tagirara expected to appear by video link.
His murder charge matter will go before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
AAP
