Gavin Raymond Pates charged with manslaughter over death of Blayde Barber at Booie

A Queensland businessman charged over the shooting death of a young dad on his property believed a vehicle was either being broken into or being tampered with, a court has heard. VIDEO

A Kingaroy businessman charged over the shooting death of a young dad on his property has broken down in tears as he was granted bail.

Gavin Raymond Pates, 38, faced the Murgon Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged with one count each of manslaughter and insecure storage of weapons.

Police had initially believed Nanango resident Blayde Barber died after being critically injured in a crash on a private property at Booie near Kingaroy.

Emergency workers found Mr Barber unconscious and trapped in a vehicle on the property off Kingaroy Barkers Rd on March 21 after the vehicle hit a fence post as Mr Barber was leaving the property.

Emergency crews performed CPR before he was rushed to Kingaroy Hospital where he later died.

The Murgon court on Wednesday heard there had been previous break-ins at the property.

Nanango resident Blayde Barber died after a car accident in the South Burnett. Now police have charged a Kingaroy man with manslaughter. Photo: Facebook.

Police allege Mr Barber and another man had arrived at the property about 11.30pm in a 2005 Hyundai Sonata.

The court heard Mr Pates came out with a gun.

During the bail application, Mr Pates lawyer Greg McGuire told the court what allegedly led up to the incident.

The court heard Mr Pates was having trouble with people coming onto his property and kept a loaded gun underneath his bed.

“In August of last year, there had been a break-in in the shed, an amount of material was stolen. That included the break in of a gun safe and stealing a firearm,” Mr McGuire said.

“In December there had been concern people had come onto the property again,” he said.

Mr McGuire said on the night of the incident Mr Pates and his wife believed a vehicle on the property was either being broken into or being tampered with.

“Close to midnight, these two young fellows in a vehicle had come up into the property.

“He’s gone onto the driveway and the car has come at him, the firearm has then discharged,” Mr McGuire said.

However there was debate when Mr Pates fired the shot.

Police Prosecutor Barry Stevens said when initially interviewed by police, Mr Pates told them he shot after the vehicle had passed him.

“The defendant stated the vehicle passed him about one metre from where he was standing.

“As the vehicle passed him, the firearm was fired and the vehicle was struck.

Sgt Stevens stressed it was important to note Mr Pates shot after the vehicle had passed him.

The court heard after the vehicle struck a pole, a passenger in the car fled the scene.

Kingaroy man Gavin Raymond Pates, 38, been charged with manslaughter over the death of Nanango resident Blayde Barber.

Sgt Stevens said his understanding was neither Mr Pates nor his wife (who is not accused of any wrongdoing) told police that a shot had been fired.

“It wasn’t until an autopsy identified the cause of death was in fact he had been shot,” Sgt Stevens said.

He said Mr Pates also dismantled a CCTV system on the property which was provided to police later, after speaking with his lawyer.

The lawyer said both Mr Barber and the other occupant were well known to police but police prosecutor Barry Stevens rejected Mr Barber was.

“I don’t accept the victim was well known to police … it’s an overstatement in my view.’’

There was no reason given why Mr Barber and the other man were on the property but the court heard the defendant allegedly heard people doing burnouts in a car before the car arrived at the front gate.

Mr Pates’ defence team said he had no criminal history, had two young children, and “very strong ties to the community.’’

He owned a business selling recreational vehicles in Kingaroy.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said Mr Pates didn’t go “looking for trouble” and said the crown case against him wasn’t “especially strong.”

“I’m satisfied that the defendant is of no risk to the public at all and no risk of failing to appear,” Mr Sinclair said.

As Mr Pates was granted bail, he was very emotional, breaking down in tears and blowing a kiss to his supporters in the gallery.

The case was adjourned to a summary and committal hearing in Kingaroy on June 28.

‘HORRIFIC SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES’

Earlier, Detective Acting Inspector Renee Garske told media Mr Barber died from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

"It's a horrific set of circumstances for emergency services to respond to any incident involving the death of a person,’’ Det Act Insp Garske told media on Wednesday.

"Certainly our hearts go out to the families involved."

Nanango resident Blayde Barber was described by friends as funny and a bubbly guy. Photo: Facebook.

An Investigation Centre had been established to look at the circumstances leading up to and cause of Mr Barber’s death under Operation Whiskey Quinta.

Friends took to social media after Mr Barber’s death to pay tribute, describing him as funny and a ‘bubbly guy’.

“I’m extremely saddened to hear of your passing; fly high, my gee. Look down on everyone and be the brightest star out there,” one wrote.

Mr Barber and his ex-girlfriend, Toni Louise Eichner, welcomed their daughter in late 2022.

Ms Eichner also shared an emotional farewell, writing: “Rest easy honey, we ended poorly, but you had a big impact on my life and the chapters surrounding it. I will forever cherish and keep those for our daughter.

“Your daughter will always know who you are, she loves you. I love you. Until we meet again.”