Police radio captures moment officers close in on Ryan Cole at service station in Mackay

Police radio transcripts have revealed what happened in between the horrific shooting of a Mackay mother and the arrest of her accused murderer after he was spotted in a KFC drive-through.

New details of the hours between the horrific shooting of a Mackay mother and arrest of her accused murderer have been revealed, as police closed in on the alleged gunman sitting in his car.

Ryan Cole, 31, was charged with the murder of South Mackay mother Natalie Frahm, 34, after allegedly shooting her dead on Wednesday in a random attack while she was about to take two girls to sport.

Police will allege Cole – Ms Frahm’s neighbour – shot her while she was sitting in her car at her Robb Pl home.

The girls were in the back seat.

Natalie Frahm was killed on June 19, 2024, with the alleged shooter, Ryan Cole, 31, charged with murder. Picture: Supplied

The girls managed to escape and ran to a neighbour’s house where 66-year-old Jimmy McGill was visiting his elderly mother.

Police will allege Cole then shot Mr McGill, before taking off in a Mitsubishi Triton about 4.30pm.

Officers closed streets down and put in place a Public Safety Preservation Act while they searched for Cole.

It’s understood police tracked Cole through his mobile phone and were following his movements via pings to a telecommunication tower.

According to police, Cole drove around the region for a number of hours – changing directions – before stopping.

Ryan Cole was taken into custody following a shooting in Mackay. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Audio from the region’s police radio communication system captured the moment Cole was located at a service station at 7.45pm.

“Parked up at BP Paget,” an officer says over the radio.

“Where is the car, mate?,” another says.

“Parked up near the entrance to the KFC drive-through.”

“Can you see him at all?”

“In the driver’s seat.”

“All units maintain radio silence. 160 has the radio for tactical intercept.”

Moments later, another broadcast.

“We have one in custody. It is our POI (person of interest). We have one in custody. It is our POI. No injuries to any persons. All clear.”

Forensic investigators at the scene of an alleged murder on Robb Pl, South Mackay on June 20, 2024. Ryan Cole has been taken into custody after allegedly killing Natalie Frahm, and attempting to kill James McGill on June 19, 2024. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Cole was taken into custody and charged with murder and attempted murder.

According to police, he was a previous weapons licence holder but police revoked his licence in 2021 and seized 11 weapons from his home at the time.

Police are yet to find the gun Cole allegedly used to kill Ms Frahm.

According to police, witnesses said Cole allegedly shot them with a “revolver style weapon”.

Det Supt Novosel said Cole was known to police for minor matters but had not come to their attention in the weeks prior to the incident.

“It’s obviously a tragic incident where two young girls have witnessed a violent death,” she said.

“I want to acknowledge and commend their bravery for actually managing to remove themselves from such a dangerous situation and raise the alarm.’

“It’s incredibly brave and I can’t even begin to imagine the trauma that they must be experiencing.’’

Ms Frahm was a mother of two, loved martial arts, and was a beloved member of her community.

Originally published as Police radio captures moment officers close in on Ryan Cole at service station in Mackay