BY JARROD MELMETH
A man has been charged with murder following investigations into a fatal shooting at a Cooks Hill apartment last month.
On July 22, emergency services found 40-year-old Wesley Prentice inside the unit on Darby Street with a gun shot wound to the chest. Mr Prentice died at the scene.
Police have announced a 35-year-old man was arrested near a caravan park at Bonny Hills on Sunday in relation to the murder.
During a search of the man's belongings, officers found a loaded firearm and cash which were seized for forensic examination.
The man from Woodrising was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with murder, possess loaded firearm in public place, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority and possess unregistered firearm in public place.
He was refused bail and appeared at Wachope Local Court on Monday where he was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.
As part of ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Hibbard detectives executed two search warrants at Bonny Hills and Windale.
During the searches, number of items were seized by police for forensic examination.
Investigations are continuing.
