Merv and Maree Schwarz. Source: Nine.
Queensland Police have taken a person into custody over the fatal shooting of three family members on a North Queensland cattle farm.
They’ve identified the victims as Maree and Merv Schwarz and her son Graham Tinghe.
His brother and her son Ross Tinghe remains in a serious but stable condition in Mackay Base Hospital after he escaped the scene of the crime with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
Police say the incident occurred at a property along Shannonvale Road early yesterday morning and were alerted to the shooting when Ross was found in a car “many, many kilometres” from the property.
It’s been confirmed that all people involved are known to each other, with police taking five people into custody to help with their investigation.
Acting Police Superintendent Tom Armitt spoke to Sunrise and said they’re confident they have the shooter and gave vague details of what happened.
“The person who has been nominated for that offence is with us here in custody.
“What we do know is that all parties are neighbours, some conversation has occurred between the parties and resulted in a meeting up at the parties’ boundary line earlier that morning when the incident occurred.”
He said that no charges have been laid yet because the investigation is still ongoing, but that detectives have spoken to Ross since he came out of surgery.
“He was able to be interviewed by police overnight. He’s recovering from his injuries, and we will be able to speak to him again this morning,”
It’s believed, according to Daily Mail Australia, that the Schwarz’ moved to the area only a year ago after buying the 300-acre property in 2021 for $10 million.
Detectives have declared crime scenes on the property and surrounds while forensic teams will carry out their examinations today.
A clear motive is still not known.
More to come.
