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The family of a man murdered on a busy southeast Queensland highway in 2009 have launched a fresh appeal for information, with police urging anyone with “changed loyalties” to come forward.
Omega Ruston, a 32-year-old construction worker was shot dead on the Gold Coast Highway on January 26, 2009, in a suspected road rage incident police believe was linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime syndicates.
The father-of-two was driving south near Burleigh Heads at 10.25pm in his white 2001 Holden Rodeo ute with two friends when he pulled over near the Fifth Avenue intersection following a traffic incident with another vehicle.
Omega and one of his passengers got out of the car as the second vehicle, a small maroon four-door sedan, stopped behind the ute before continuing forward.
Police say two shots were then fired from the rear passenger side window of the sedan, one fatally hitting Omega in the abdomen.
Witnesses reported seeing three men “of Middle Eastern appearance” in the sedan, with the rear passenger seen holding a black semiautomatic pistol before the car continued south along the highway.
A full review was launched into the homicide investigation last year and new witnesses have since been identified or have come forward to provide “crucial” evidence.
Police say they will continue to canvas previously identified witnesses in order to provide “much-needed closure” to Omega’s family, and bring those responsible to justice.
Significant forensic breakthroughs have been made regarding DNA, fingerprint and ballistics evidence, and modern methodologies have assisted police to better interpret historical phone data, Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said.
“Police believe the persons directly involved in the shooting death of Omega were linked to the Gold Coast and Sydney chapters of organised crime syndicates and outlaw motorcycle gangs,” he said.
“Police believe that immediately after the shooting death, others with links to the chapters of these gangs provided assistance to the persons of interest. These persons are being investigated as accessories after the fact to murder, which is also a life imprisonment offence in Queensland.
“We are aware relationships and loyalties change, so we are encouraging those people with information to come forward now as this may be your last chance at redemption.”
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