Bogie shooting: Councillor likens alleged triple execution to Wild West

As locals reel in horror at an alleged triple execution, a North Queensland councillor says the slayings are like something from the 1800s.

A Whitsundays councillor said the Bogie slaughter was straight out of the Wild West as locals reeled in horror at the tragedy.

As shattered residents laid flowers near the scene of the shootings, locals voiced their shock that an alleged property boundary dispute in the tiny cattle district – not far from historic mining town Collinsville and coastal haven Bowen – could end in bloodshed with three people dead.

“It used to be a case where farmers would approach disputes gentlemanly, but those days are long gone,” said one resident who knew the families involved.

Whitsunday regional councillor Mike Brunker said council would be speaking with police about ongoing issues in relation to the property.

“We will be speaking to police about that, about different issues. Obviously complaints are confidential,” he said.

“In the 1800s people were shot over gold claims. If you went on the wrong claim, you got shot and that was the Wild West.

The Bogie property where the triple shooting happened

“This day and age you might have a punch-up at a pub, but certainly not to this extreme.

“This is an extreme event and hopefully an absolutely isolated event.”

Cr Brunker said the triple shooting was “absolutely tragic”.

“(It’s) something you wouldn’t expect in Bowen or Collinsville,” he said.

When asked if property boundary disputes were common given the terrain at Bogie which makes fence lines almost impossible, Mr Brunker said it was not uncommon for there to be issues.

He said if there was a dispute between graziers across Australia “it’s usually over cattle or boundaries”.

“If that’s part of the issue… I’m sure the police will sort through that,” he said.

He said the first 20-30km out at Bogie were just rural or residential properties, “lifestyle blocks”.

“And then you get into the bigger grazing areas,” he said, adding property owners “all know each other”.

Whitsunday regional councillor Mike Brunker

Originally published as Bogie shooting: Councillor likens alleged triple execution to Wild West