Police release more information into fatal shooting of 25yo father Zac Davies-Scott at Heddon Greta

The state’s top homicide cop has described the targeted shooting death of a young father in front of his family as callous and calculating as detectives reveal the background into the murder.

Homicide squad detectives believe a young father’s presence in the Hunter’s drug trade – and some ‘associates’ within that criminal underbelly – is the key to finding the “callous” and “calculating” killers who stormed the young man’s house and shot him dead in front of his terrified extended family.

Zachery Davies-Scott, also known through sections of the Lower Hunter as ‘Donnie’, was shot moments after several people crashed their way through his family’s home on Traders Way at Heddon Greta on the night of December 27.

The 25-year-old died at the scene in front of his pregnant fiance, parents and grandparents while two toddlers were also inside when the deadly home invasion occurred about 10.50pm.

Strike Force Roslyn was established and the homicide squad took over the investigation, with The Newcastle News reporting at the time that suspected drug supply and bikie links were key lines of inquiry for investigators.

The state’s homicide squad commander, Det Supt Danny Doherty, confirmed on Tuesday that investigators believed the murder was drug-related.

Police at the scene of the shooting death of a man on Traders Way, Heddon Greta on December 27, 2022. Picture: NBN News.

Det Supt Doherty said detectives were also keen to collect more information about any drug-related “conflict or issues” Mr Davies-Scott had experienced leading up to the murder and had released CCTV of a white SUV speeding away from the scene moments after the shooting.

“He has been a victim of a targeted home invasion and has been shot dead in front of his family,” Det Supt Doherty told The Newcastle News.

“Despite what he may have been involved in, no one deserves to be shot dead in their own house.

“For them to shoot him dead in front of his family is callous and cold-blooded.”

Zac Davies-Scott, known to many as €˜Donnie€™. Picture: NSW Police

Det Supt Doherty also added: “It happened so quickly. They bashed the door down and shot him and left just as quickly.

“They were calculated in what they were doing and that was to target Zac and shoot him.”

The veteran homicide investigator also told reporters that Mr Davies-Scott’s family, including is pregnant fiance, were struggling to grief his violent death.

“Police will allege this is a targeted attack, it is a drug-related targeted attack, a horrendous, callous, cold-blooded killing of a 25yo man,” Det Supt Doherty said.

“This was at a home where he parents were, his grandparents were, he had two toddlers aged three and four in the house at the time, and he died with his pregnant fiance witnessing his death

“It is terrible for the family to witness this.”

Det Supt Doherty pleaded for more information on the vehicle seen driving erratically along Main Rd immediately after the murder.

Police allege people connected to the fatal shooting left the scene in an "erratic" manner. Picture: NSW Police

“The footage we have released shows a white SUV driving on Main Rd in a very erratic manner immediately after the murder, overtaking a van on the inside shoulder of a single lane road,” he said.

“We are in the Hunter again today to continue asking all of these questions, canvassing for more witnesses and CCTV, and continuing to piece together who Zac was and how he came to be a victim of an horrific crime.”

Police at the scene of the shooting death of a man on Traders Way, Heddon Greta on December 27, 2022. Picture: NBN News.

No one has been charged over the shooting.

A friend of the dead man said “regardless of what is being said”, he did not deserve to be shot in his own home.

“He was a good kid and yes he adored his little ones,” the friend previously told The Newcastle News.

“What happened is still beyond belief for so many of us up here, we are all still trying to unpack it.

“Regardless of what is being said by media about what he was up to, he should never have been murdered in cold blood where his children were.

“This is nothing less than an absolute inexcusable tragedy. I hope whoever did this is tormented to the point of insanity forever.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.