Qld Police allegedly find unlicensed guns in search for murder weapon used in South Mackay shooting

Police say they have made a discovery inside the home of a man charged with the murder of a mum who was allegedly shot in her car.

Detectives believe they have found the missing weapon allegedly used to fatally shoot a Queensland mum inside the home of the man charged with her murder.

Queensland Police have charged Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, with murder of Natalie Frahm, 34, and the attempted murder of 66-year-old James McGill, who was shot moments later when he tried to help the young mum.

Police will allege Mr Cole shot Ms Frahm as she sat inside her car on Robb Place in South Mackay on June 19.

Natalie Frahm was allegedly murdered by Ryan Cole on June 19. Picture: Supplied

Two children were sitting in the back seat during the daylight attack.

The pair, who were uninjured, ran for help, alerting Mr McGill who tried to assist Ms Frahm before he was also allegedly shot by Mr Cole.

On Monday, Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel said police had since allegedly found three unlicensed firearms inside Mr Cole’s home, including the weapon believed to be used to kill Ms Frahm.

Two people were shot in the quiet cul-de-sac. Picture: 9 News

“One was a homemade, inoperable long-arm rifle, one was an air rifle, and one was a 22 calibre pistol,” Superintendent Novosel said.

“The pistol fits the description by Mr McGill and the witnesses to this event.

“Preliminary advice from forensic examinations and ballistic experts lead police to believe that this was the weapon used to fatally wound Natalie Frahm and injure James McGill.”

Ms Frahm was sitting in her car when she was allegedly shot. Picture: Supplied

Superintendent Novosel said it was concerning to learn none of the weapons had previously been registered.

“Investigations are ongoing into the origin of the pistol and how it came to be in the possession of the defendant,” she said.

“Whenever there’s firearms located in the possession of someone who isn’t licensed to do so, it’s always a concern.”

Police believe Mr Cole and Ms Frahm had no previous contact with each other despite living in the same quiet cul-de-sac.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Emergency crews were called to reports of multiple shootings at South Mackay. Picture: 9 News

“We’ll continue to seek out people who have information they can provide about the movements of the defendant prior to the incident last Wednesday and also how he was known by people in the community and seeking any information from anyone who can provide anything so we can take the investigation further,” Superintendent Novosel said.

“We have obtained a lot of CCTV both from homes and businesses around the area.

“We’ve been able to determine some of Mr Cole’s movements to a certain extent through that CCTV.

“I urge any member of the community that does have CCTV or dashcam footage and they think they may be able to help us to contact police.”

Originally published as Qld Police allegedly find unlicensed guns in search for murder weapon used in South Mackay shooting