Gun used in Omega Ruston murder linked to Sydney shooting
Queensland and NSW police divers have scoured a river for a gun linked to a father’s murder and a drive-by Sydney shooting.
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Police have pulled a number of items from the Parramatta River as part of their search for a gun used in both the shooting murder of a man on the Gold Coast, and a drive by attack on a Sydney tattoo parlour.
The prime suspects in the road rage death of Omega Ruston are known Middle Eastern Sydney crime figures and a former member of the Nomads.
Queensland Police journeyed to Sydney on Wednesday and searched the waterway where they believe the weapon used to kill Mr Ruston on Australia Day in 2009 may have been dumped.
Mr Ruston, 32, was shot dead on the Gold Coast Highway near Burleigh Heads after an apparent road rage argument that saw a man in another car open fire on the tradie.
Police divers used metal detectors to search the floor of the river near the ferry terminal on Wednesday morning.
A number of items of interest were pulled from the water and put into evidence bags, but Gold Coast Detective Inspect Chris Ahearn would not be drawn on what they were.
Det Insp Ahearn did confirm the area around the terminal was the only section that would be searched.
“It became apparent during the course of our investigation that this was an area that required us to search with police divers today,” he said.
“The police divers have conducted a search of this area here near the terminus, I can’t comment on what they are, but they are going to be subject of some analysis.”
Today’s hunt for a murder weapon comes less than a year after Queensland Police homicide detectives ordered a full review of the unsolved murder.
Already the rejuvenated investigation has led to several new breakthroughs.
They include new witnesses coming forward – from both NSW and Queensland – and also new DNA, fingerprint and ballistics evidence.
The Daily Telegraph understands several high-profile criminals are among the main suspects over Mr Ruston’s death.
The search of the Parramatta River comes just days after Mr Ruston’s own brother begged his killer to stop being a “coward” and come forward.
“His children have had to grow up without their father being part of their lives and our family have had to carry on with the knowledge that his killer remains at large,” Nick Ruston said.
“We know that there are people out there that have information. If you’re remaining silent out of some sense of allegiance or loyalty, please know that the man you’re protecting is a coward.”
Mr Ruston was leaving Australia Day celebrations with mates when his ute was reportedly cut off in traffic by a small four-door maroon sedan.
Police say he and his passengers then got out of their vehicle and moved towards the sedan.
As they stepped out onto the road two shots were fired from the rear passenger side seat of the other car, with one fatally striking Mr Ruston in the stomach.
Court documents from the time state that a friend of the victim’s saw a “Lebanese” male, in his mid 20s, with short greased black hair, an olive complexion and muscular build, in the car.
“This male person was holding what appeared to be a black handgun, possibly a semi or automatic firearm,” the court papers stated.
“He observed the ‘Lebanese’ male seated in the rear passenger seat place a black handgun out through the three quarter open rear passenger window.
“The male person rested his wrist on the window and fired two consecutive shots at the deceased. The suspects’ vehicle then continued driving south down the Gold Coast Highway.”
Two of Mr Ruston’s friends tried to resuscitate him as he lay by the roadside, but he died at the scene.
Originally published as Gun used in Omega Ruston murder linked to Sydney shooting
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