Police hunt for gunman after teen found with gunshot wound on Gold Coast

Police are hunting for the offenders responsible after a teenager was found with a gunshot wound in the carpark of a Gold Coast shopping centre.

The scene where a teenage male received treatment for a gunshot wound at Helensvale Plaza Monday night. Picture: Keith Woods

Police are hunting for the offenders responsible after a teenager was found with a gunshot wound to his arm in the carpark of a suburban shopping centre.

Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot shortly before the 19-year-old man was found injured in a car park behind a Red Rooster restaurant at Helensvale Plaza around 6.30pm on Monday.

The teenager was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition after being treated by paramedics at the scene.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn, of Gold Coast CIB, said the victim was believed to have arrived at the Red Rooster in a stolen white Skoda.

Insp Ahearn said the man was shot with a sawn-off rifle after a confrontation with a man who had arrived in a white Nissan Cascade.

He said the victim “immediately began to run” after the man pulled the gun, felt the gunshot and fell to the ground.

Police investigating after a teenager was found with a gunshot wound in a car park at Helensvale Plaza shopping centre. Picture: Keith Woods.

Insp Ahearn said the shooter got back into the Nissan and fled.

He said both men were known to each other and police were keeping an open mind as to whether it may have been a drug deal gone wrong.

But he said there was no indication of outlaw motorcycle gang involvement.

Insp Ahearn said the victim’s injury was relatively minor and he was “thankfully in a good condition” in hospital and co-operating with police.

He said the shooting was “a big concern’” and urged anyone with information or footage to contact police.

Police at the scene near Red Rooster. Picture: Keith Woods

Shortly before 9pm, a white SUV believed to be involved in the incident was towed from the scene.

Police also discovered a second vehicle which had been reported stolen in the carpark.

A white SUV involved in the incident was towed from the scene after the Gold Coast shooting. Police also seized a second vehicle found in the carpark, but officers did not believe it was related to the shooting incident. Picture: Keith Woods

Nick Smith, who was working at the next door Helensvale Tavern Bottle Shop when the shooting occurred, said he heard a loud bang but initially dismissed it as noise from the nearby Gold Coast Highway.

However, Mr Smith said customers told him they thought they had heard a gunshot.

Mr Smith, who has had medical training, said as soon as realised someone had been hurt he went to see if he could help.

“I saw QPS driving in and it looked like there had been a medical emergency so I went to see if I could help,” Mr Smith said.

“The guy was on the ground. He was in a lot of pain.

“They ripped his shirt off and they were putting gauze on his arm. Then the ambulance took him off (to hospital).”

Helensvale Tavern worker Nick Smith. Picture: Keith Woods

Mr Smith said he was shocked that a shooting had happened in the normally quiet area.

“Nothing like this ever really happens,” he said.

“It’s crazy to think this could happen here.

“I didn’t think we had much gun crime in Australia, much less this close to the community.”

Slade Smith at Helensvale Plaza shopping centre. Picture: Keith Woods.

Slade Smith said his teenage son was working at the Red Rooster restaurant when the incident occurred.

Mr Smith said he was worried for his son’s safety when he saw the flashing lights of emergency services vehicles and officers assisting the victim on the ground.

“There were cop cars everywhere and then the ambos rocked up,” he said.

Mr Smith said the restaurant was closed immediately and he soon received a call from the manager to assure him that staff were OK.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Policelink at at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444.

Originally published as Police hunt for gunman after teen found with gunshot wound on Gold Coast