A 28-year-old Gold Coast stuntman has been shot dead while filming a music video for Australian hip hop group Bliss N Eso inside a Brisbane city bar.
Johann Ofner was shot in the chest inside the Brooklyn Standard bar on Eagle Lane, near the Brisbane CBD, at about 2pm on Monday afternoon while filming the music video.
The actor was wounded in the chest after several firearms were used in the production, and he died after being treated by paramedics at the scene, Detective Inspector Tom Armitt told reporters.
It is understood that a double-barrelled shotgun fired the deadly shot -- although it is not clear whether the faux bullets malfunctioned or whether there was any misuse of equipment.
"A number of firearms were being used during the scene," DI Armitt told reporters on Monday.
"I can't tell you whether they are live or real firearms. I can't tell you the type of ammunition that were being used. That will be subject of the investigation."
Ofner was an experienced stuntman and a carpenter by trade who was soon to appear on Channel Nine's new reality TV show, Australian Ninja Warrior, according to his Facebook page.
Tributes to Ofner poured in to his Facebook page on Monday night, paying tribute to the "legend" with a "kind heart and loving spirit".
Bliss N Eso 'Not On Site'
In a statement Bliss N Eso's management confirmed that a man had died while making the music video for the band.
"We are able to confirm the death of a person occurred today at the filming of a Bliss n Eso music clip," Mushroom Entertainment said in a statement.
"The band were not on site at the time.
"The video production crew and our team are currently working with the police in their investigation and we are unable to provide further comment at this time."
Then, late on Monday night, Bliss N Eso released a statement on their Facebook page saying were "incredibly saddened" by the tragedy.
"The three of us are extremely upset and shaken up by this and our hearts and prayers go out to the victim's family and friends as well as the cast and crew who were involved in the clip today," the statement read.
The film crew and production company were fully co-operating with police, Armitt said.
Queensland Police are conducting a criminal investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Bliss n Eso had earlier posted an online call for people to work on the video, but by Monday afternoon it no longer appeared on the group's website.
The shooting happened close to where the blockbuster 'Pacific Rim 2' was being filmed on Sunday.
The producers of the movie Pacific Rim say they were filming in the area yesterday but today's shooting not to do with their production.
— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) January 23, 2017
After meeting in a Sydney classroom, Bliss n Eso emerged on the Australian hip hop scene in 2000. The group has been nominated for seven ARIA awards and are set to release their sixth album in March.
Who are Bliss n Eso?
- Jonathan Notley (Bliss), Max Mackinnon (Eso) and Tarik Ejjamai (DJ Izm) make up the hip hop group;
- Notley and Mackinnon rapped together since high school on Sydney's north shore, after Notley emigrated from the U.S. in the early 90s. Ejjamai joined the group later;
- The hip hop band have released five studio albums and have been nominated for seven ARIA awards;
- The group performed as a support act for 50 Cent in 2005;
- The trio are based in Sydney and are currently signed to Melbourne record label Illusive Sounds;
- Their new album, Off The Grid, is due out in March.