Man faces court charged over shooting murder of Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin

The man alleged to have shot Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin, who was assassinated in front of horrified onlookers, has fronted court for the first time.

A 34-year-old man has briefly faced court charged with murdering Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin, who was publicly assassinated in front of terrified children last year.

The man, who cannot be named, was arrested in Perth’s south after a vehicle stop on Monday, and was charged on Tuesday with one count of murder and two counts of unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.

The man charged with murdering Nick Martin. Picture: Facebook

The man faced a Perth court on Wednesday and the magistrate ordered that he be remanded in custody until his next appearance on April 28.

A suppression order has been made preventing the publication of anything that might reveal his identity.

Martin was assassinated by a suspected sniper during an event at Kwinana Motorplex on December 12.

Police previously said they believed Martin was shot from about 300m away while attending the event with his wife Amanda.

Former Bandidos bikie member Ricky Chapman was also hurt, while a five-year-old boy suffered a minor injury from the shot.

Nick Martin, pictured with his wife Amanda, was shot dead in December last year.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told reporters after the man’s court appearance that detectives were alleging Mr Martin’s death was an “outrageous killing” in a “public, crowded place”.

“The man who has been charged with murder, we are alleging, is the person who fired the fatal gunshot,” Mr Dawson said.

“Investigations into the motives and connection with any other persons remains an ongoing part of our investigation.”

Following Mr Martin’s death, subsequent gang activity had been “visible” to the public and met with a “swift and direct response” from police, but the homicide investigation had not been as visible for obvious reasons, Mr Dawson said.

Nick Martin was shot by a suspected sniper.

“Against intense public speculation, police have focused on the facts and worked tirelessly through an enormous amount of information and evidence,” he said.

“They’ve got much work ahead. The taskforce work is unfinished and remains ongoing post this arrest.

“The murder investigation remains open and we will be speaking with other people.”

Mr Dawson said the $1m reward for information that led to a conviction also remained open.

“My message is clear. Come to the police or the police will come to you,” he said.

Mr Dawson said in the interests of safety for the people and families connected to the investigation, significant security measures had been put in place.

“It is self-evident that organised crime gangs have no regard for public safety or any other persons that come in the way,” he said.

“We have a strong belief and concern that there are persons lives at risk here.

“That’s why we’re putting a very tight security blanket around this whole thing.”

People are also being discouraged from speculating about the case on social media.

The man fronted court on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

Since Taskforce Ravello was created, 136 search warrants have been executed, 102 people charged with 267 offences and 55 firearms seized.

Eight search warrants were executed on Monday in Perth and the outer metropolitan area, Mr Dawson said.

It was previously revealed that detectives seized cars, a motorbike and a boat and carted away bags of evidence from a Waikiki property.

Mr Dawson said the recent Ascot and Port Kennedy shootings were not linked to Mr Martin’s death, but people had been charged over those incidents.

“I do not see that these matters are connected to the homicide of Mr Martin,” he said.

The police commissioner also confirmed that during the crackdown on bikies some matters had been referred to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson wants bikie laws strengthened. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Mr Dawson also reiterated that bikie laws should be strengthened in Western Australia, including outlawing gang colours and insignia in public.

He also wants to strengthen existing money laundering offences and broaden the stop, search and seizure powers.

“The blatant criminal activity of organised crime groups in Western Australia can be addressed further by hardening the existing powers and the existing laws,” Mr Dawson said.

“We just don’t want to disrupt organised crime gangs, we want to dismantle and destroy them.

“There should be no safe place in Western Australia for organised criminals.”

The police commissioner said he was speaking to government authorities, including the Premier, about the issue.

Originally published as Man faces court charged over shooting murder of Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin