Gold Coast crime: Tattoo shop linked to Rebels bikie gang firebombed

A tattoo shop in North Brisbane with links to the Rebels bikie was firebombed overnight as violence increases between two feuding gangs.

A TATTOO studio in North Brisbane with links to the Rebels was firebombed overnight in what is believed to be a retaliation to a shooting in Loganholme last month.

The Koolsville Tattoo Studio on South Pine Road at Brendale — believed to be owned by Rebels president Mick Kosenko — is a charred mess after a suspected arson attack.

Detectives have converged on the scene with the roller door into the building appeared to have been cut into.

FEARS BIKIE WAR ABOUT TO ERUPT AFTER REBELS MEMBER SHOT

It is understood Queensland Rebels president "Little Mick" Kosenko’s tattoo shop was firebombed last night. PIC Marc Robertson

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It comes as Rebels bikie Gokhan Turkyilmaz was shot seven times in the leg and once in the groin at his home in Upper Coomera on Tuesday night.

The shooting was believed to be in retaliation to an attack at a Logan shopping centre last month, where police allege a Rebels member shot another man after a dispute.

Police are investigating Koolsville Studios tattoo shop in North Brisbane after it was allegedly firebombed last night. Picture: Chris Clarke.

Police sources told the News Corp Australia there are fears the recent shootings could bring increased violence between the Rebels and Bandidos bikie gangs.

However, the Queensland Police Service has played down the threat of a bikie war, saying a recent shooting and firebombing are the work of a “specific group of people”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Charysse Pond said the public was safe.

“I’m not surprised by this violence, we’ve seen it before,” Det Chief Sup Pond said.

While Det Sup Pond acknowledged the incidents between Rebels and Bandidos had “escalated” in recent weeks, she was confident the factions weren’t meeting in public.

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Rebels flags can be seen folded up inside the tattoo parlour in Brendale which was allegedly firebombed overnight.

Asked how many bikies were involved in the dispute, Det Sup Pond would not comment.

She also would not comment on whether there was a risk of further incidents, or whether police had upped their resources to combat the violence.

“We are committed to stopping this targeted violence,” Det Sup Pond said.

Employees at neighbouring businesses are asking “when is it going to end” and believe the arson is linked to the shooting of shooting of Rebels member Gokhan ‘’Pitbull’ Turkyilmaz earlier this week.

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Police are investigating Koolsville Studios tattoo shop in North Brisbane after it was allegedly firebombed last night. Picture: Chris Clarke.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington says “it’s clear a bikie turf war is raging on our streets” after a Rebel-owned business was torched last night.

“My number one concern is the impact on community safety. I don’t want innocent Queenslanders caught in the crossfire because of Labor’s soft laws,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The LNP introduced the toughest laws in the nation and we got results. Bikies left the state and crime rates dramatically reduced.

“Now under Labor the bikies are back with a vengeance.”

Comment has been sought from the Government.

Originally published as Gold Coast crime: Tattoo shop linked to Rebels bikie gang firebombed