One neighbor recalled meeting a shopkeeper several times and claimed he seemed “nice” before he allegedly shot and killed a woman outside her home.
Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, allegedly shot his neighbor Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, in the head and chest as she pulled up in her car outside her home on Robb Place in South Mackay, Queensland, on Wednesday. in the afternoon.
Cole is also accused of shooting Good Samaritan James Trevor McGill, 66, who rushed to Ms. Frahm’s aid after two teenagers who were in her car at the time raised the alarm.
McGill, who was on the street visiting his elderly mother, was allegedly shot in the chest before being rushed to hospital in serious but stable condition.
Local Denise Home was visiting her friend Mr McGill and his mother at the time.
Natalie Frahm, 34 (pictured), has been identified as the alleged victim of the brutal shooting.
Denise Home (pictured) was visiting her friend Mr McGill and his mother and described her previous encounters with Cole and said he seemed “nice”.
Ryan Geoffrey Cole (pictured) allegedly sparked a shooting on Wednesday, his 31st birthday.
she told him mail He had met Cole on several previous occasions.
“I met (Cole) a couple of times, he always seemed nice,” he said.
Mrs Home recalled the terrifying moment when the two teenagers ran towards the house screaming for help and one of them screamed that someone had been murdered.
She said one of the teens called the police while she called the ambulance, as more gunshots were heard.
These were supposedly the shots that injured his friend, Mr. McGill.
Ms Home said it took a long time for paramedics to arrive as the area was still closed.
Another neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, also recalled meeting Cole and saying that he “seemed so fucking normal.”
He said when he first heard the gunshots he thought they were coming from the Mackay Agricultural Show.
The close-knit community of Mackay has been rocked by the tragic death of young Natalie Frahm (pictured)
The incident forced police to close off the surrounding area while they searched for the alleged gunman (pictured, exclusion zone)
Neighbors on the quiet cul-de-sac spoke of their disbelief, how they can’t sleep after the tragic shooting and desperately search for answers.
“I need to know what happened because it could have happened to anyone on the street,” one woman said.
“It would bring us some peace to know the full story.”
Another neighbor said she was surprised by the chain of events and said she frequently saw Cole on the street.
“It seemed nice,” he said.
‘He’s been living there for a while. He seemed like a man of good style. He always walked by and smiled. He saw him working on his boat or with his carpenter’s cart.
Cole was arrested at around 7.45pm outside a service station on Bruce Highway, near Hilton Street, about 2km away.
It is understood that Cole and Frahm did not know each other, but lived on the same street.
Daily Mail Australia understands the South Mackay property where Cole lived is owned by his mother, however it is unclear if she also resided on the premises.
Mrs Frahm moved to Mackay several years ago from her hometown of Mount Isa, located 1,230 kilometers west in outback Queensland.
A heartbroken friend paid tribute to the woman online, describing her as a “beautiful angel”.
The tragedy has rocked the quiet seaside suburb, which was plunged into a massive emergency lockdown amid the alleged shootings.
Acting Detective Superintendent Emma Novosel said Cole was known to police and there was no clear motive for the alleged shootings.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said it would take a long time for the “beautiful little community” to come to terms with the alleged shooting.
A heartbroken friend paid tribute online to Natalie Frahm (pictured), describing her as a “beautiful angel”.
‘As a community we have to try to come together to make sure anyone who needs help gets it…How could this happen in Mackay?’ he said.
Three years ago, Cole had his gun license revoked.
Investigations are ongoing into how he gained access to a firearm.
‘This person had firearms illegally. His gun license had been cancelled. “The police had taken those weapons from him,” said Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan.
“Part of the investigation will look at how he may have come into possession of this illegal firearm… but we have to allow police to do that job.”
“I don’t think there is a single person in Queensland whose heart doesn’t break for Natalie, her family and friends.”
Cole appeared at Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday morning via video link from the guardhouse, charged with murder and attempted murder.
He appeared in court again on Friday morning and was remanded in custody until September.