Second man charged over 1999 shooting of Queensland police officer

A second man has been charged over the 1999 capturing of a Queensland police officer as investigators proceed to enchantment to the general public for extra info.

Senior Constable Neil Scutts was shot within the groin when two males robbed a financial institution in Browns Plains, south of Brisbane, in March 1999.

Scutts needed to bear emergency surgical procedure after the bullet handed by means of his buttocks and narrowly missed a serious artery.

His firearm, a Sturm Ruger .357 six-shot revolver, was allegedly stolen and has nonetheless not been recovered.

The Woodford man, aged 54, has been charged with 13 offences together with armed theft and intention to trigger grievous bodily hurt.

Though authorities say they’re happy with the end result, police have continued their enchantment to the general public over info and have reminded Australians {that a} $500,000 reward stays in place for anybody that would present particulars resulting in an arrest. 

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith stated the news was “significant”. 

“While yesterday’s arrest is significant, we are continuing to appeal to people who may have information about the shooting and who may have been reluctant to come forward earlier to do so now,” he stated.

Senior Constable Scutts spoke concerning the incident in 2020 when police introduced the reward for info.

“This still has quite a bit of emotion for me after all this time,” he stated.

“I was conscious through the whole thing, I knew where I’d been shot, I knew I was at risk of dying if it had hit my artery.”

Detectives imagine no less than one different individual was concerned within the alleged assault.

The reward additionally gives an indemnity from prosecution for any confederate who first comes ahead with the knowledge wanted to unravel the chilly case, police say.

“There’s a code of silence that exists within those circles and our job is to keep putting pressure on the groups to ensure that someone eventually sees the light and comes forward,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Condon stated in 2020.