Cops swoop on shirtless, tattooed man over stabbing death of Brisbane Comanchero bikie associate

The police have released dramatic footage of officers swooping in to arrest a shirtless, tattooed man in thongs in connection to the killing of a Comanchero bikie associate.

Levi Johnston, 23, died after allegedly being attacked by a group of four men near the corner of Pine Mountain and Creek roads at Carindale in southern Brisbane at 1pm on Monday. 

A 34-year-old man from East Brisbane was arrested by dog squad officers just a few hundred metres from where Mr Johnson was fatally stabbed. 

Three other men suspected of being involved in the alleged incident are still on the run. 

The footage, shot on body-worn cameras shortly after the killing, shows a male and two female officers approaching the man in a park, not far from where the incident occurred.

The man (pictured right, with police officers) is questioned in connection with a stabbing death before he is arrested

The man, who was wearing knee-length shorts, is then seen with his hands on his hips, talking to the officers.  

He then calmly walked on a path through the park, flanked by police. 

The man is next seen sitting with his back to a chain-link fence, holding his hands up to his ears while police officers discuss the situation and keep an eye on him.

He is then seen handcuffed and being helped into a blue paper suit, which is used to preserve any evidence on a suspect’s body. The man was then walked to a police van and helped into it.

He has since been charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a weapon (revolver), possession of detachable magazines without license and authority required to possess explosives. 

The man’s case was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning and he was remanded in custody to appear on September 29. 

Earlier, it emerged that two mystery backpacks could hold vital clues to the ‘horrific’ stabbing death of the face-tattooed Mr Johnston.

Taskforce Maxima, a specialist police unit focused on outlaw bikie gangs, is closely involved in the investigation.

Stabbing victim Levi Johnston (pictured right) was an associate of Comanchero bikies

Stabbing victim Levi Johnston (pictured right) was an associate of Comanchero bikies

Levi Johnston (pictured) was stabbed to death in a southern Brisbane suburb on Monday

Levi Johnston (pictured) was stabbed to death in a southern Brisbane suburb on Monday

A Black Audi hatchback initially blocked the dead man’s car in a gym car park before the Nissan four wheel drive rammed his car from the opposite side.

The police said the two backpacks that were later found nearby had come from the Audi. 

Four men got out of the attackers’ cars and started smashing the windows of the 23-year-old’s car before he got out through a passenger door and ran away.

Two men chased him to a nearby residential street where one of them allegedly stabbed him multiple times.

The man (pictured in blue overalls) is handcuffed by police in a Brisbane park on Monday

The man (pictured in blue overalls) is handcuffed by police in a Brisbane park on Monday

He is pictured in the back of a police van after being helped into it by officers

He is pictured in the back of a police van after being helped into it by officers

Three men fled the scene in the Nissan, while the fourth ran away but was tracked down with police dogs and arrested.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the attack, which happened in front of members of the public, was deeply concerning.

‘These males were extremely motivated to hunt this individual down,’ he said at the scene on Monday.

‘This incident was fully captured on CCTV. I have viewed that CCTV and it is confronting and horrific.

An officer searches bushes for clues after the stabbing death of a 23-year-old in Brisbane

An officer searches bushes for clues after the stabbing death of a 23-year-old in Brisbane

One man has been arrested and four others are still on the run after escaping from the scene in a four wheel drive car. Pictured are bushes being searched

One man has been arrested and four others are still on the run after escaping from the scene in a four wheel drive car. Pictured are bushes being searched

‘We don’t know the motive of what’s occurred, whether there was planning involved or whether there was an incident that escalated in the nearby streets.

‘What was clear was their intent to cause significant harm to this individual.’

On Tuesday morning, the gym was closed to all but a few pre-booked classes with others turned away at the door. 

A State Emergency Service tent was set up in the car park as volunteers searched bushes and the surrounding streets for clues.

The search appears focused on finding the murder weapon.

On Tuesday morning, the gym (pictured) was closed to all but a few pre-booked classes with others turned away at the door

On Tuesday morning, the gym (pictured) was closed to all but a few pre-booked classes with others turned away at the door

SES officers are pictured searching for the murder weapon in a murder inquiry in Brisbane

SES officers are pictured searching for the murder weapon in a murder inquiry in Brisbane

Four police divers in wetsuits and wielding metal detectors waded though a creek next to where one of the alleged assassins was arrested hiding in a park.

Mr Johnston was an associate of a Comanchero bikie gang in Brisbane, though he is understood not to have been a patched member. 

He was previously stabbed a year ago on the Gold Coast during a fight involving outlaw bikie gang associates. 

It is not known whether the two incidents are connected. 

Superintendent Massingham said Monday’s attack was ‘a disturbing act, it is a brazen act… it is cowardly’.

He added that the stabbing was over in ‘less than five seconds’.

Flowers (pictured) have been left for stabbing victim Levi Johnston at the scene of his death

Flowers (pictured) have been left for stabbing victim Levi Johnston at the scene of his death

Superintendent Massingham told reporters that off duty medical personnel tried to help the victim at the scene but were unable to save him. 

Though the motivation for the killing is unknown, police are reportedly investigating if the stabbing is connected to motorcycle gang activities. 

A bystander said up to 50 people were at the scene and the gym was evacuated.

Another said they saw police chase a man up a hill away from the gym.

‘Police were redirecting traffic,’ they said. 

Police divers in wetsuits (pictured) waded though a creek next to where a man was arrested hiding in a park

Police divers in wetsuits (pictured) waded though a creek next to where a man was arrested hiding in a park

Police divers used metal detectors (pictured) while searching for the murder weapon in a stabbing

Police divers used metal detectors (pictured) while searching for the murder weapon in a stabbing

‘Then across the road from the gym, paramedics were attending to someone on the ground who did not look like they were in a good condition.

‘There was a huge crowd of people there and everyone had their phones out filming.

‘Lots of police and paramedics on scene and a chopper flying too.’

Officers on scene closed the intersection of Pine Mountain and Creek roads in Carindale. 

SES volunteers (pictured) have been taking part in the hunt for clues after a stabbing murder

SES volunteers (pictured) have been taking part in the hunt for clues after a stabbing murder

SES volunteers are pictured joining the hunt for clues after a 'horrific' stabbing murder in Queensland

SES volunteers are pictured joining the hunt for clues after a ‘horrific’ stabbing murder in Queensland

Superintendent Massingham said a post-mortem examination would be carried out on the victim on Tuesday. 

He said significant resources have been allocated to the case and he is hopeful of a ‘swift resolution’.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward and for people to share any dashcam footage they may have with the police.  

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