QLD:Police probe bikie links in coast shooting

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2011
QLD:Police probe bikie links in coast shooting

By Tony Bartlett

GOLD COAST, Dec 9 AAP - A Gold Coast gym owned by a bikie gang associate has been sprayed
with a dozen shots from a high-calibre weapon.

Police are investigating whether the shots were intended as a warning to the owner
of the First Choice Fitness Centre at Helensvale.

The centre was blasted with a dozen shots on Thursday night, damaging the front glass
doors, walls and gym equipment.

"The owner of the store is an associate of an outlaw motorcycle gang," Superintendent
Dave Hutchinson told reporters on the Gold Coast.

"That's one of the avenues of inquiry we're following, but there are others too."

They include disputes with staff and customers, he said.

"It would appear to be a high-calibre weapon, we have ballistics police on the scene
at the moment and they'll be able to give us a better indication of the type of firearm
that was used," Supt Hutchinson said.

He said the owner was cooperating with police.

AAP bart/tnf/mjs

KEYWORD: SHOTS UPDATE

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