Queensland man charged with drive-by shooting of home on Brunswick St at Ballina in Northern Rivers

Police have charged a Queensland man after they sought public help following an alleged “mistaken identity” drive-by shooting of a home in a northern NSW tourist town.

Police have charged a Queensland man after an alleged “mistaken identity” drive-by shooting of a home in the coastal tourist town of Ballina in northern NSW.

Emergency services were called to a home on Brunswick St, Ballina, following reports of a “public place shooting” about 9.15pm on April 10.

Emergency services were called to a home on Brunswick St, Ballina about 9.15pm on April 10, after shots were fired into a home. NSW Police released CCTV footage of a blue Ford Falcon sedan seen in the area at the time. Picture: NSW Police

It’s alleged multiple bullets were fired into the home, but no one was physically injured.

NSW Police said at the time: “At the scene, police were told that shots had allegedly been fired into the front of the property.”

“Initial inquiries have led police to believe the incident is a case of mistaken identity.”

Richmond Police District investigated and detectives established Strike Force Talmoi to investigate the incident.

Investigators released grainy CCTV footage of a blue Ford Falcon sedan seen in the area at the time of the shooting.

Brunswick St in Ballina. Picture: Google Maps.

On Wednesday, police revealed a 50-year-old man was identified, an arrest warrant issued and he has been charged. It comes as “investigations are ongoing” with “more arrests likely.

The man – Mark David Nugent – was arrested by Queensland Police in Collinsville on June 4.

He faced Mackay Magistrates Court on June 5 and his extradition interstate was sought and granted.

Nugent was taken to NSW on June 6 and to Lismore Police Station.

The 50-year-old man faced court at Mackay in Queensland (pictured) and was extradited to Lismore in northern NSW. Picture: Heidi Petith

Nugent has been charged with eight offences: Firing a firearm at a dwelling-house with disregard for safety, possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, not keeping a firearm safely, using unauthorised prohibited firearms, receiving property stolen outside of NSW and participating in a criminal group continued criminal activity.

He was refused bail to face Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, where bail was again refused.