Alleged Logan shooter Brooklyn Te-Hake Henare Ruatara admits Mongrel Mob links, court told

The man accused of shooting a stranger in the back in a Logan street hung his head as a court heard of a series of alleged admissions to an undercover cop, including links to a notorious NZ gang.

The man accused of shooting a stranger in the street over the weekend hung his head as it was revealed in court he had allegedly made admissions to an undercover cop and claimed links to the “Mongrel mob”.

Shooting-accused Brooklyn Te-Hake Henare Ruatara, 23, left his cell while the magistrate was still speaking – slamming the door behind him – after he was denied bail this morning.

Police allege Ruatara shot a 20-year-old Springwood man in the back just after midnight on Sunday morning, after the Springwood man had been out with family at a mosque earlier that night.

Brisbane Magistrates Court heard at Ruatara’s bail application on Friday how the Springwood man had been walking back to his car from a restaurant on Logan Rd, Underwood, when he passed a Toyota HiLux.

Police prosecutor Thomas Melo said witnesses heard “three loud bangs” and observed a small hand gun pointed out the window of the HiLux.

Shibly Mustapha’s son was wounded in an alleged drive-by shooting. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The HiLux then allegedly left the scene, leaving the Springwood man with a gunshot wound to the back and another complainant wounded in the arm.

Ruatara was arrested earlier this week and charged with offences including three counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Melo told the court Ruatara allegedly admitted to an undercover officer following his arrest that he had known the complainant was Muslim due to his attire – but he said the incident was not alleged to be a hate crime.

Ruatara hung his head, appearing via video link in court, as Mr Melo claimed that although he initially denied any part in the shooting, Ruatara eventually made admissions to an undercover police informant.

Mr Melo said Ruatara had described the make of the gun used in the incident, and detailed how he allegedly shot towards a group of individuals and drove off while they were “still standing”.

He said Ruatara also allegedly told the informant he had links to the “Mongrel mob”.

Ruatara’s duty lawyer submitted that the case against his client was circumstantial, and that his client didn’t match initial witness descriptions of the offender.

He noted it was alleged his client’s fingerprint had been identified on the passenger door of the Toyota HiLux, and pointed out his client could have been a passenger on another occasion.

Brooklyn Te-Hake Henare Ruatara allegedly told an undercover police officer he had links to the Mongrel Mob.

Magistrate Louise Shephard said there was also GPS tracking data that indicated Ruatara had been travelling a route aligned with the vehicle at the time.

She said Ruatara had then allegedly cut off his own ankle monitor – which he had been wearing due to being on bail for an armed robbery charge.

Ms Shepard said the allegations against Ruatara were “terribly concerning” and that there was “certainly strength” to the case.

She said Ruatara’s criminal history included previous instances of failing to appear, and that it was further aggravating that he had allegedly breached a curfew condition on his bail undertaking.

Ms Shephard denied Ruatara’s bail and adjourned the case for mention at Holland Park Magistrates Court on May 20.

Ruatara’s partner, who the court heard was three months pregnant with his child, then interrupted Ms Shephard by shouting out “love you babe” and muttering curses while exiting the room.

Ruatara proceeded to exit the room where he appeared via video link – slamming the door behind him while Ms Shephard was still speaking.

Outside of court, the complainant’s father Shibly Mustapha said he was very grateful for the support of his community – a group of whom attended court with him for the bail application.

“I don’t just mean the Muslim community … There’s people who are just concerned that this shouldn’t be happening in our Australian community,” he said.

Mr Mustapha said his son was currently still recovering in hospital in a stable condition after having the bullet removed yesterday.

“Thankfully he’s doing really well … We’ve been reassured that he is going to make a full recovery and there’s solace and comfort in that.”