A manhunt is under way for two people after a 23-year-old woman was chased down, assaulted and shot dead in a street north of Brisbane.
Police are labelling the killing a targeted attack, as the heartbroken family of Chloe Jade Mason pay tribute to a much-loved sister and aunt.
Mason was described by family as a strong and beautiful woman and accomplished footballer.
She was remembered by her sister as an “incredible aunt” and “loyal sister” who “changed the lives of everyone around her”.
“Chloe was our beautiful sister, we love her deeply and her loss is hard to come to terms with, this close to the holidays too,” Hannah Mckone said.
“She was an incredible aunt to her nieces and nephews and a loyal sister. She would’ve gone to the ends of the earth for her family.
“Chloe was the strongest girl I’ve ever known and she changed the lives of everyone around her.”
9News understands an altercation broke out before midnight in Caboolture and Mason was assaulted by two men.
As she ran for her life, it’s believed they chased her down the street, firing off several shots, one of them fatal.
One witness said they heard, “about three or four gunshots and then a little bit of whimpering”.
Residents from a another property on the street were taken in for questioning, though detectives maintain there are no confirmed suspects or leads.
They say they don’t yet know the motive behind the attack or even why she was with the men on the street.
“We have a number of witnesses that are currently assisting us, however, we have no person in custody,” Detective Inspector David Harbison said.
Investigators are establishing a taskforce of local and specialist homicide detectives to try and bring the young woman’s family answers.
“It’s a tragedy to lose such a young life in such a violent manner so we will get to the bottom of it, it’s the best we can do for the family at the moment,” Harbison said.
Police say at this stage they are yet to locate the weapon used in but detectives believe it was targeted and say there’s no wider risk to the public.
Senior police have this message for those responsible, and their associates.
“There’s people out there that know who these people are so to them do the right thing,” Harbison said.
“A young 23 year-old has lost a life in tragic circumstances so do the right thing.”
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
