NSW Police release footage in fatal shooting investigation

The victim of a “cold-blooded murder” died in front of his children and fiancé, police have revealed.

NSW emergency services were called to a house on Traders Way in the Hunter region just before 11pm on December 27 last year.

A 25-year-old man was found with at least one gunshot wound and died at the scene.

The man has since been identified as Zachery “Zac” Davies-Scott, known locally as “Donnie”.

Camera icon Police on the scene in December. NBN News Credit: News Corp Australia

Hunter Valley Police district officers made initial inquiries, but the case was then referred to the State Crime Command’s homicide squad under Strike Force Roslyn.

Homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told reporters on Tuesday that at least three people allegedly forced their way into the property the night Mr. Scott was shot.

“This is a horrific, callous, cold-blooded murder of a 25-year-old man,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“Whatever Zac was involved in, he didn’t deserve to be shot dead in his home.”

Hunter Valley Police District Commander Superintendent Tracy Chapman told reporters in December that police believed it was a targeted attack.

“We don’t believe it was a random attack, it looks like it was targeted,” she said.

“Members of the community have no reason to be concerned.”

Police have since revealed they were told a “number of people” had forced their way into the home where Mr. Scott was shot and then left behind in a white SUV.

Detectives released the CCTV footage of a white SUV driving erratically along Main Rd, Heddon Greta, shortly after 10.50pm on the night of the incident.

Superintendent Doherty said the police were investigating Mr. Scott’s interactions in the weeks before his death.

“From our investigations it appears that he was better known as ‘Donnie’ to his friends and co-workers,” Superintendent Doherty said.

“We are treating this murder as a targeted attack, with detectives investigating whether Zac had any ongoing conflicts or problems.

Camera icon The victim has been identified as Zac Davies-Scott. NBN News Credit: News Corp Australia

“The footage we have released shows a white SUV driving in a very erratic manner on Main Rd immediately after the murder, overtaking a van on the inside shoulder of a single lane road.

“We are back in the Hunter today to continue to ask all these questions, to seek more witnesses and CCTV and continue to piece together who Zac was and how he became a victim of a horrific crime .”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.