News Service from House Harris

QLD: Police probe 'road rage' murder

GOLD COAST, Jan 27 AAP - A Gold Coast father gunned down beside a busy motorway was an apparent victim of road rage, in a shooting nearby residents mistook for Australia Day fireworks.

The 32-year-old man was showered with bullets at close range as he stood by his ute on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads about 10.40pm (AEST) on Monday.

Police said he had gotten out of his ute to confront the passengers of a red sedan, who he had scuffled with earlier while travelling south along the highway.

"The victim's been standing beside his vehicle, the other vehicle has approached and shots have been fired and he's basically slumped against the vehicle," Detective Inspector Marc Hogan said.

The man was killed almost instantly, most likely from a bullet wound to the stomach, he said.

Road rage was believed to have triggered the attack.

"One of the vehicles may have crossed in the path of another - it's as simple as that," Det Insp Hogan said.

"There wasn't anything particularly dramatic about that, but it has certainly escalated very quickly."

The passengers in the victim's ute tried to resuscitate him, along with passers-by and an off-duty police officer, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Nearby residents said they thought the gunshots were part of Australia Day celebrations.

Det Insp Hogan urgently appealed for more witnesses to come forward to assist the 20 investigators currently working the case, including specialist homicide detectives from Brisbane.

"It's a particularly nasty incident," he said.

He said there was nothing to suggest the murder was racially motivated or driven by alcohol at this early stage of the investigation.

Police are looking for a red or maroon sedan, which was last seen heading south towards the commercial centre of Burleigh Heads - the site of several Australia Day brawls.

There were three people in the car, one of whom has been described as of Middle Eastern appearance.

Those with information are urged to contact the Burleigh Heads Police Station on 07 5586 0444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.