Pacific Highway shooting: Police urge driver of red ute to come forward

Coffs/Clarence Police won’t reveal whether mystery driver of red ute is a ‘person of interest’ as investigation continues into shooting which left 33-year-old Hunter man with four gunshot wounds.

Police have issued a public plea for help following a shooting on the Pacific Highway at Moonee Beach which they are now treating as an attempted murder.

Coffs/Clarence Detective Acting Inspector Aaron Van Schaik fronted the cameras on Friday to appeal for the driver of a red dual cab ute, seen in the vicinity at the time of the shooting on April 7, to come forward.

Det. Van Schaik would not be drawn on whether the driver of the red ute was involved in the shooting or a possible witness but reaffirmed that the incident was a “targeted” attack.

“We want the driver of the ute to come to us and explain their involvement but we are keeping an open mind as to how this red ute is involved, whether (the driver) is a person of interest or otherwise,” he said.

“Certainly, it is a very serious matter (and) we are investigating it as an attempted murder. We do believe it was targeted towards the victim … so there is no need for the wider community to be concerned for their safety.”

Police at the scene near Emerald Beach where a man was found in a car shot four times on Wednesday, April 7.

The victim, believed to be from the Hunter region, was shot four times as he sat in his black ute on the side of the highway north of the Moonee Beach interchange about 1am. He had earlier crashed his car and called family for help.

After being shot, police believe the man managed to drive another 7km north along the Pacific Highway before stopping again just south of the Emerald Beach interchange.

When those he had arranged to assist him arrived at about 1.20am, he was found with gunshot wounds and emergency services were called.

While Det. Van Schaik would not comment on the background of the victim or whether he was previously known to police, he said the 33-year-old had been “assisting police with the investigation”.

The 33-year-old was sitting in his black ute when he was shot four times.

Mr Van Schaik said “significant resources” had been directed at the investigation including the formation of Strike force Baldock. He also said police had evidence to suggest the type of firearm that was used but would not disclose any more details at this stage.

“As part of the investigation (the) police ballistics section in Sydney has had ongoing involvement and it is definitely a key part of the investigation,” he said.

While the exact circumstances around the April 7 shooting remain a mystery, police established three separate crime scenes, one at the location he crashed, another where they believe he was shot and another where he was found.

The 33-year-old was treated by paramedics and later flown to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Police are continuing to appeal to any motorists who may have dashcam footage from the Pacific Highway between Moonee and Emerald Beaches on Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.