Persons of interest declared in alleged bikie murder

Police have released the names and images of two people of interest as they continue their investigation into the “horrific” and “brazen” alleged daylight murder of a bikie associate outside a Brisbane gym.

Levi Johnson, 23, was allegedly stabbed to death near Goodlife Health Club at Mansfield in the city’s eastern suburbs, on the corner of Creek and Pine Mountain Rds, about 1pm on Monday.

He was allegedly stabbed multiple times after he was ambushed by four men in a Nissan Patrol.

Mr Johnson was understood to be known to the Comancheros, but he was not a patched member.

Queensland Police clarified on Tuesday morning that after viewing additional CCTV footage, four men were involved in the initial altercation, after they initially reported five.

A 34-year-old East Brisbane man was arrested by dog squad officers a short distance from the scene on Monday and has since been charged with weapons offences.

Another 34-year-old Birkdale man was taken into custody on Wednesday morning and is assisting with inquiries.

Police are also searching for two other men in relation to the fatal attack, 35-year-old Thomas Myler and 24-year-old Kyle Martin.

Police have been unable to locate the men in the last 36 hours.

They believe they could still be in Capalaba, Birkdale and Ransome areas and could potentially be armed and dangerous.

Police executed two search warrants late on Tuesday afternoon in the Birkdale and Ransome, but could not find the men.

“We were looking for persons that we wish to question in relation to this tragic homicide,” Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said on Wednesday.

“Those persons last night were not located at those addresses.”

Police attended another Birkdale address on Wednesday morning, where they found and took the 34-year-old Birkdale man into custody.

Superintendent Massingham said all four men claim to be members or associates of the 13 Kings gang.

“The credibility of those claims is still being investigated, and any claims that that club is linked to any other outlaw motorcycle gang at this stage is supposition only,” he said.

He described the group as not “well-known” or “well-established”. They also have a presence or clubhouse in the Capalaba area.

Police are investigating suggestions that the club could be a feeder group to other gangs.

But Superintendent Massingham said it would be “premature” to link the 13 Kings to any outlaw motorcycle gangs at this stage.

He said the circumstances of the alleged stabbing were quite confronting.

“What we have is quite a graphic and disturbing scene, where a young man has lost his life in the middle of a roadway,” he said on Monday.

“There were five males intent on causing significant injury and subsequent death to this individual.

“As the white Mercedes attempted to exit the carpark, it was rammed by what we believe to be a Nissan Patrol, white in colour with a silver bull bar.

“A number of males have then exited the Nissan and also the Audi. They were five in total, five males. They have approached the victim in the driver’s seat. They have then used a crowbar to smash the driver’s window.”

The alleged stabbing took place when Mr Johnson attempted to flee via the passenger side door, ran across the road and was allegedly pursued by two of the men.

One of the men then confronted him at an intersection and stabbed the victim with a knife multiple times, according to police.

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Emergency Services were notified and gave first aid to Mr Johnson, but he died from his injuries a short time later.

Superintendent Massingham said the four men appeared to have cornered Mr Johnson in the gym’s carpark.

“It was clear though, that he drove into the carpark at the gym, to seek some refuge, in my view, and was subsequently cornered it in there,” he said.

He said it appeared Mr Johnson knew he was being followed.

“That from the evidence I‘ve seen so far would be a reasonable conclusion,” he said.

Superintendent Massingham said they know who they believe committed the alleged murder, but he would not comment publicly on who it was.

Three of the men fled the scene in a Nissan Patrol, while the fourth fled on foot after being unable to start a black Audi.

Dog squad officers arrested Stuart Galloway at about 4pm, a short distance from where the alleged murder took place.

The 34-year-old East Brisbane man was charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a weapon (revolver), possession of detachable magazines without licence and authority required to possess explosives.

He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to reappear on September 29.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said the charges relate to items located at a Carindale residence and form part of their ongoing homicide investigations.

Superintendent Massingham said the four men were “extremely motivated” in their alleged attack on Mr Johnson.

“These males were extremely motivated to hunt this individual down. This incident was fully captured on CCTV. I have viewed that CCTV and it is confronting and horrific,” he said.

“The footage I’ve seen, I did not see any of them disguised.

“It is a disturbing act, it is a brazen act … it is cowardly.”

Police, homicide squad and SES officers were back at the scene of the alleged stabbing on Tuesday morning.

Flowers were left for Mr Johnson at a street sign, with one message reading “love you brother, rest In Peace”.

The tributes continued on Wednesday, with more flowers and notes left at the scene.

Mr Johnson was the younger brother of world boxing champ Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson.

“I’ve lost my brother ,my parents have lost their son,” she posted to Instagram on Wednesday.

There is no suggestion that Ms Johnson is a bikie associate.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the alleged stabbing as “very disturbing”.

“There is a current police investigation into that, and I won‘t comment any further until the outcomes of that police investigation,” she said on Tuesday.

She said the state has strict laws in place to counter alleged bikie violence.

“We have our serious organised crime legislation in place and it’s probably some of the strictest in Australia,” Ms Palaszczuk said.