Criminal expert weighs in on spate of drive-by shootings across South East Queensland
A leading criminal expert has weighed in on a spate of drive-by shootings across South East Queensland, including one targeting boxing star Justis Huni’s home.
Police & Courts
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A leading criminal expert has weighed in on the possible reasons behind a recent spate of drive-by shootings across South East Queensland, including one that targeted the home of boxing star Justis Huni.
Griffith University Adjunct Professor Geoff Dean said there were three key reasons drive-by shootings occurred in Australia – organised crime, notoriety or simply at random.
The incident at Huni’s home is just one of several drive-by shootings that have occurred across the southeast in recent months.
In a separate incident earlier this month, a 55-year-old man was grazed by a bullet while sitting in the passenger seat of a car on the Gold Coast.
While shots were fired into the Arundel police beat where two officers were sleeping on June 6, and a Carseldine home was sprayed with bullets in a drive-by shooting in late April.
Adj Prof Dean said those responsible for the shooting at Huni’s home may have been seeking notoriety, considering the boxer’s celebrity status.
“He (Huni) is a known figure, he’s a professional boxer,” Adj Prof Dean said.
“There’s notoriety because of the celebrity element.
“It could be an initiation ceremony, or it could be someone wanting to get their name in lights in the packing order.
“It’s a kudos thing, an ego trip.”
Police have not charged anyone over the shooting at Huni’s Sunnybank Hills home, however investigations continue.
Adj Prof Dean said targeted attacks were more often the result of organised crime, or in the instance of Huni’s house, could be to gain notoriety.
There is no suggestion Huni is involved with organised crime.
Adj Prof Dean said random drive-by shooting attacks were usually for fun.
“That’s people looking for excitement – that happens every now and again,” he said.
“It’s kids and young adults who are bored with nothing better to do than scare somebody and shoot at somebody’s window or put a hole through someone’s car.”
According to Queensland’s Annual Crime Report, firearms-related offences are decreasing
Offences relating to the unlawful possession of a concealed firearm were down nearly 13 per cent – from 155 to 135 – Queensland-wide from 2020 to 2021.
Adj Prof Dean said despite the recent spate of shootings across the southeast, it was too early to say if there has been an increase in gun violence.
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