By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2024-12-23 17:45:08 | Updated at 2024-12-24 00:44:22
7 hours ago
The heartbroken family of a 23-year-old Australian woman who was left for dead in a suburban street after being gunned down has spoken out.
Chloe Jade Mason, 23, was found unconscious and not breathing on Railway Parade in Caboolture about 12:10 a.m. on Sunday.
Police provided CPR and first aid but she was declared dead at the scene.
Police believe Mason, who is also known as CeeJay, had been assaulted, allegedly chased down a suburban street by two men and shot at in the middle of the night.
The men have not been found.
“She was the most amazing person you could ever meet, like she’s someone that you would have wanted to have by your side in life,” her sister Dani said via Nine News.
“She didn’t deserve this, no one does.”
A homicide investigation has since been launched as police continue to appeal for information following the suspicious death.
Mason’s sister, Hannah McKone, paid tribute to her younger sibling whose life was cut short.
“Grieving the life you never got to have and the experiences we didn’t get the chance to share,” McKone said on Facebook.
“You would’ve been the most amazing mother.”
McKone has also started a fundraiser in the hopes her family can give Mason a proper send off.
“I’m fundraising on behalf of my little sister Chloe,” the GoFundMe campaign said.
“Being so close to Christmas her family has no savings or financial means to give her a funeral.
“We are graciously asking for help and support in this. All funds donated will be directly used for Chloe’s funeral service.”
Queensland Police minister Dan Purdie said the community have nothing to fear, as police believe the two armed men were known to Mason.
“I know police from our homicide squad, local detectives, state flying squad have been deployed to that area en masse,” he said.
“I understand it was targeted attack, it wasn’t a random incident but the victim and offenders were known to each other.
“I’ve been informed there’s no risk to the broader community that it was a targeted attack.
“There’s no suggestion the public should be alarmed by this and I’m confident the police will solve this sooner rather than later.”
Purdie urged anyone with information to contact police to “help solve this murder.”
“It’s an operational matter, police are working around the clock to solve it,” he said.
“It’s not the first time North Brisbane has seen a tragedy around Christmas time.
“It’s something we do want to stop particularly a violent crime like that.
“We need to make sure our police have all the resources and the laws they need to do their job and keep people safe.”
It comes as friends of Mason have also taken to social media to remember the 23-year-old woman.
“I’ll always miss you and think of you CeeJay,” one friend said online.
“Love you always my sis. Fly high and know you won’t be forgotten by anyone at all that got the pleasure to cross your path down here in hell. Love you.”
Another said: “We will all miss you … Fly high huni (sic).”
One friend said she’ll miss the woman she considered a sister.
“You were there in some of my darkest times,” the woman wrote on social media.
“Rest In Paradise my sister. Love you lots.”
Another friend said Mason was “so young and so beautiful”.
Speaking to media on Sunday afternoon, Detective Inspector David Harbison said early investigations suggested the woman had been assaulted by two men, who may have chased her down Railway Parade.
Police believe up to four gunshots were fired in the street.
The woman had suffered at least one gunshot wound, but Det. Insp. Harbison would not be drawn on how many.
Det. Insp. Harbison said the incident “occurred in the street and went onto the footpath,” and that the property police were called to was not involved.
No arrests have been made and police currently have no suspects in the death.
Det. Insp. Harbison said while it is believed there were two men involved, officers are working with limited detail as it was “very dark” at the time of the shooting and police have “no leads” on those involved.
Detectives do not believe this to be a random attack, as police believe the woman knew the two men who allegedly attacked her.
Investigators urge anyone that may have information in relation about the shooting to contact police, particularly, anyone traveling along Railway Parade from 11:40 p.m. on Saturday to shortly thereafter who might have dashcam footage.
Investigations are ongoing.
