Four men have been charged after a series of terrifying drive-by attacks with slingshots targeting random pedestrians across Brisbane's western suburbs.
Between May 27 and June 1, police allege the group of men were inside a car and armed with handmade slingshots and metal objects, which they began firing at random members of the public.
In two terrifying incidents in Paddington and Toowong on May 27, a 22-year-old woman was struck in the forehead with a metal object, and a 36-year-old woman was hit on the hand. A woman was struck in the head by a metal object. Another was hit in the hand.
A few days later, police allege the four men targeted more people, striking a 53-year-old man in the back with one of the metal objects. A 64-year-old woman was also struck in the jaw by one of the metal objects.
Speaking to 9News, one of the victims who was struck said she was "really scared" by the incident. "All of a sudden we just heard this really loud bang," she said. "Next thing I was just, like, on the ground."
About 11.15pm on May 31, Queensland Police intercepted a Hyundai i30 on Chapel Hill Rd in Chapel Hill. They allegedly found two handmade slingshots, two pocket-shot-style devices and a set of knuckle dusters. "The two occupants of the vehicle were detained at the scene," a police statement read.
The next day, officers searched a home on Henty Drive in Redbank Plains and allegedly found property relating to the assaults. On June 2, officers searched a house at Chelsea Place in Forest Lake and allegedly found a quantity of cannabis and drug utensils.
Four men were taken into custody and have since been charged with a string of offences. A 19-year-old man from Forest Lake was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of serious assault of person over 60, and one count of discharge weapon in public place. He was bailed and is due to appear before court on June 22.
A 19-year-old Chapel Hill man was charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while in company, one count of common assault, and one count of discharging a weapon in a public place. He was granted bail and will face court on June 22.
A 20-year-old man from Chapel Hill was charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while in company, one count of common assault, one count of unlawful possession of weapons and one count of discharging a weapon in a public place. He was bailed and is due to face court on June 22.
A 19-year-old from Redbank Plains was charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while in company, one count of serious assault of a person over 60, one count of discharging a weapon in a public place, one count of unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, one count of possessing explosives without authority and one count of tainted property. He was refused bail and is due to appear at court on June 23.
Police are continuing to investigate the incidents and believe there are more victims. Anyone with information or who was injured during the incidents have been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
