Woman, 19, shot in Nambour late-night incident. Police seek help but ‘no ongoing threat’

A 19-year-old Nambour woman was recovering in hospital following a late-night shooting on Image Flat Road that has prompted a police appeal for public assistance.

Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Lowry, officer in charge of the Sunshine Coast District CIB, said detectives were first alerted when the young woman presented at Nambour Hospital with an injury to her hand. “Upon attending to that inquiry, detectives established that injury was actually from a gunshot,” he said.

Det Snr Sgt Lowry said police had established that the woman and a 19-year-old male companion were parked on Image Flat Road at about 11.20pm on Wednesday, August 19 when a dark-coloured vehicle pulled up alongside them. 

“There’s been an interaction and a single gunshot has been fired into the victim’s vehicle. So naturally, that’s a serious concern that we’re looking into, and we’re seeking some public assistance in any information that anyone has in relation to that incident,” he said.

Both Image Flat Road and the victims’ vehicle were declared crime scenes and fully examined. Det Snr Sgt Lowry confirmed a verbal exchange preceded the shot being fired. “It’s been described to me as a verbal interaction between the two parties. The nature of that interaction is really probably subject to the investigation at this stage. It’s quite an important part, actually,” he said.

The injured woman is believed to have driven herself to hospital despite her wound. “What people do under stress is really up in the air. People react in their situations differently. It seems as though these people have gone to the hospital under their own steam in their own vehicle,” Det Snr Sgt Lowry said. He confirmed she faces surgery, though declined to go into further detail out of respect for her privacy.

Witnesses provided varying descriptions of the suspect vehicle, which carried at least two occupants. “All we can say at this stage is that it’s a dark coloured vehicle,” Det Snr Sgt Lowry said.

He moved to reassure residents, saying the incident did not represent an ongoing community threat. “(But) members of the community should always be vigilant. They should always be mindful of their surroundings and report any dangerous or suspicious behaviour to police, and do not and never take matters into their own hands,” he said.

 Anyone with information is urged to contact Sunshine Coast detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.