Surfers Paradise shooting: Police arrest 30-year-old man, charge him with seven offences

The man charged with seven offences in connection with an alleged shooting and stabbing attack at Surfers Paradise has had his charges mentioned for the first time in court. WATCH VIDEO OF HIS ARREST

Police have arrested a man wanted for questioning over an alleged attack in which three members of the same family were variously shot and stabbed at a Surfers Paradise unit block.

Mitchell Barnes, 30, was arrested at Palm Meadows in Carrara at about 1pm on Wednesday.

Police said he was assisting them with their investigation into a dispute that allegedly left a 44-year-old man and his two sons, aged 21 and 23, with serious injuries including gunshot and stab wounds.

Suspected Surfers Paradise gunman Mitchell Barnes, 30. Picture: QPS/Supplied

He was subsequently charged with seven offences: two counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, dangerous conduct with a weapon, unlawful possession of weapons category H weapon (firearm) used to commit indictable offence, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, and possess used utensils or pipes.

Police at the scene of the incident at Peninsular Drive. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The scene of the incident. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“It will be alleged around 2am on March 31, an altercation between a man and a woman was occurring inside a unit on Peninsular Drive,” Queensland Police said in a statement.

“A 44-year-old male neighbour and two other men verbally intervened and a physical altercation then occurred between the group of men.

“A 21-year-old man sustained two gunshot wounds to his stomach and a laceration to his upper back.

“The 44-year-old man sustained lacerations across his body and a 23-year-old man also sustained minor injuries during the altercation.”

Mr Barnes did not appear in person when his charges were mentioned for the first time in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Defence lawyer Michael Gatenby told the court his client was currently at Gold Coast University Hospital with “some stab wounds and other injuries”.

Defence lawyer Michael Gatenby. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Did someone fight back?” Magistrate Nerida Wilson asked.

Mr Gatenby responded: “We say they are defensive injuries.”

Mr Barnes’ charges were adjourned to Friday, pending his possible discharge from the hospital.

Earlier, police took Mr Barnes’ 38-year-old girlfriend in for questioning.

A police source said the woman did not co-operate with investigators. She is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Bloodied items at the scene of the alleged shooting at Peninsular Dr, Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Police allege shots were fired after the 44-year-old, Logan Ihaka, who lives with his family in a unit below Mr Barnes, asked him to pipe down during a domestic argument Mr Barnes and his girlfriend were having upstairs at about 2am Monday.

Moana Murray with partner Logan Ihaka, 44, in hospital. Picture: Supplied

The origin of the revolver police allege Mr Barnes used to shoot Mr Ihaka’s son Kaden Murray, 21, twice in the abdomen, is yet to be probed, as the firearm, which was recovered from the Peninsular Dr scene, is still undergoing ballistics analysis.

Mr Ihaka and son Kaden both underwent surgery on Monday, with Kaden moved from the intensive care unit into a medical ward on Tuesday.

Jahreez Ihaka, 23, Mr Ihaka’s other son, was also hospitalised but has since been discharged.

Originally published as Surfers Paradise shooting: Police arrest 30-year-old man, charge him with seven offences