Police have charged one of two men at the centre of a manhunt on the NSW Mid North Coast after a series of "random" shots were fired at passing cars.
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The 26-year-old was charged with three counts of discharging a firearm intending to cause grievous bodily harm and three counts of firing a gun in a public place. He faces Kempsey Local Court on November 10.
The second man, a 32-year-old, was taken to Kempsey Hospital for assessment under police guard after both men were arrested at 3.15pm on November 9.
During the alleged spree one person was grazed by a bullet and police are investigating the death of another man.
The man's body was found at the side of Fernbank Creek Road and police "are making inquiries to determine what has happened".
Alleged casualties
In a statement to media in Newcastle, assistant commissioner Scott Tanner said it was unclear if the death was related to the two men.
Police confirmed that a driver suffered a "grazing wound" after shots were fired from the suspect's ute at 1.40am near Coopernook, NSW on November 9.
Three hours later, at 4.40am, police were called to the Pacific Highway in Port Macquarie where shots were allegedly fired at another vehicle but no injuries were reported, police said.
More shots were reportedly fired at a vehicle in Kundabung at 5.15am with no injuries resulting.
Shortly after the Kundabung incident officers were allegedly fired at near Fernbank Creek Road in Port Macquarie.
"No officers were injured," police said.
About 10.30am, the utility was located abandoned at Wayne Richards Park at Port Macquarie. The vehicle was seized to undergo forensic examination.
Second incident
A fatal accident at near where the shootings took place is under investigation by police.
Emergency services were called to The Hatch Road, Blackmans Point - north of Port Macquarie - following reports a car had crashed into a power pole on November 10, around 2.45am.
One of the occupants of the car, a man believed to be in his 20's, died at the scene.
He has not yet been formally identified.
Police said the proximity of the two incidents is coincidental.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
