Bodhi Amendolia sentenced over Buderim gun rampage

Armed with a rifle, an iced-up Buderim teenager went on rampage, ending in him emerging from bushland in his underwear. Find out what happened in court.

Bodhi Amendolia fronted Maroochydore Magistrates Court after he threatened to shoot a woman during a wild rampage through Buderim in October 2022.

A Buderim teenager has had details of his “meth and xanax bender” exposed.

Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia, 18, pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 24 to seven charges, including dangerous conduct with a weapon, dangerous operation of a vehicle, discharge a weapon in a public place, unlawful possession of weapons, possess explosives without authority and possessing dangerous drugs.

He was supported by his parents during the court appearance.

Amendolia’s rampage began on October 9, 2022, when he left his parents’ home with a loaded rifle and duffel bag, claiming the house had been shot at.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said Amendolia’s mother told police her son was on ice and experiencing paranoia, thinking “someone was out to get him”.

He fled the home in a car driven by a young woman, the court was told.

Police abandoned a chase with the car after it went through Buderim at 130km/h.

Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia faced a Maroochydore court. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Approximately 13 minutes later, police found the car with the driver inside.

Amendolia had fled into nearby bushland with the bag and rifle.

Sergeant Ruddiman said the driver told police Amendolia threatened her, saying “you better drive, I have a gun in the car”.

She complied, believing he was going to shoot her.

Amendolia emerged from the bush in just his underwear and surrendered to police.

A search of a phone unearthed several photos and videos of him with the rifle from August 2022, as well as clips of him firing it and a revolver near various houses.

Police searched the bushland area on October 11 and found ammunition, a bag containing a small safe with broken Xanax pills and “a couple of grand” worth of cash.

A gun was also found - it was stolen from the Gympie region.

Amendolia told police he had “been on a five-day meth and xanax bender” and had not slept prior to the offending.

He could not recall details of the incident, and said he knew nothing of the gun being stolen.

He said the cash was his and he had been saving for a car.

Defence lawyer Chantelle Allen said her client’s offending was sparked by a relationship breakdown, but after spending 60 days in presentence custody he had begun attending daily Narcotics Anonymous meetings and made other attempts at rehabilitation.

Bodhi Amendolia went on a rampage through Buderim while armed with a loaded rifle. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily

He was diagnosed with major anxiety disorder, Ms Allen said, but had the opportunity to return to full-time work with his father after his case was dealt with.

He was exposed to meth early last year, she said.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis called Amendolia’s behaviour “extremely dangerous” and “extremely serious”.

He was sentenced to 12 months behind bars with an immediate parole release, and was disqualified from driving for six months.

The 60 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared time served and the drugs, weapons and money were forfeited.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Bodhi Amendolia sentenced over Buderim gun rampage