Drive-by shooting hits boxing event venue in Brisbane suburb

Queensland Police Service has confirmed that four individuals sustained injuries in a drive-by shooting at a venue in Loganholme, a suburb located south of Brisbane. The incident occurred on Saturday evening and has prompted a significant police presence in the area as investigators work to identify the suspects who remain at large.

Officers were dispatched to the licensed premises at 8:15 pm on Saturday following reports that gunfire was discharged from a moving vehicle. The vehicle was observed departing the scene shortly after the shots were fired. All four injured persons were transported to a local hospital where medical staff are currently assessing the severity of their wounds.

The shooting took place at Fitzys Loganholme on Bryants Road, which was the site of the Logan City Titles Fight Night. The event was scheduled to feature boxing matches as part of a local community gathering. Deputy Commander Chris Stream of the Queensland Police Service described the scene as confronting. He noted to the Today show that several individuals had sustained gunshot wounds, highlighting the sudden violence at what was intended to be a controlled sporting environment.

Local leadership has reacted strongly to the event. Logan Mayor Jon Raven stated that residents in the vicinity are frightened by the incident. He told the Today show that the shooting has sent a shockwave through the Logan area, noting that such an occurrence is unprecedented for the region. Raven expressed his support for the victims, the venue staff, and the attendees present during the event.

The mayor emphasized that previous iterations of this type of event were family-friendly, often attended by many children. Raven suggested that the trauma of this incident could have long-term effects on those present, stating that it would impact them for the rest of their lives. He highlighted the specific nature of the night, which was organized with the goal of steering young people away from violence and toward positive engagement.

Raven explained that the event organizer uses boxing as a tool to empower youth and reconnect young people who might be struggling. He described the organizer as someone who loves the sport and uses it to help those potentially going off the rails. The mayor noted that the current situation is the opposite of what the organizer would want to see, implying a significant personal and professional blow to the local boxing community.

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday morning, the Logan City Titles organizers expressed their heartbreak over the incident. They described the fight night as a community event designed to showcase local talent, hard work, and the skills of participants inside the ring. The statement asserted that such incidents have no place in the boxing community or the broader society, reinforcing the idea that the violence was an outlier in an otherwise positive setting.

Police have indicated that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the general public at this stage. However, the suspects remain unidentified and at large. Investigators are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and contact the police to assist in the ongoing investigation into the drive-by incident.

The event highlights the intersection of local community initiatives with public safety concerns. While the fight night was intended to provide a constructive outlet for local talent, the sudden intrusion of violence has raised questions about security at such venues. The police response and the reaction from local officials underscore the significant impact of the incident on the Loganholme area and the broader Brisbane community.