Declan Jay Taylor charged with attempted murder over Zillmere shooting

The mother of a young woman allegedly shot in her own home has recalled the horrifying moment she realised her daughter had been struck by a bullet, a court has been told.

Raini Julie-Ann Cook was left with serious injuries after allegedly being shot in her stomach at her Zillmere home on October 10, 2021.

Declan Jay Taylor was later charged with her attempted murder and a string of other offences, including attempted robbery and entering a dwelling with intent.

Ms Cook’s mother, Karen McDonnell gave evidence before a committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where she recalled how she’d allegedly saw Mr Taylor shoot his gun into her house.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will allege in court Mr Taylor was standing at the front door of the Zillmere home when he broke the window to Ms Cook’s bedroom and shot at her before he fled.

Ms Cook, who was 23 years old at the time of the alleged shooting, was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for treatment for abdominal and arm injuries.

The court was told she continues to require 24 hour care two years after the alleged shooting.

Ms McDonnell, 48, had allegedly walked into the empty bedroom followed by her dog to see who was at the front door.

“There was a noise at the door, that’s when I knew something was weird because no one ever goes to the front door,” Ms McDonnell said.

She told the court she allegedly saw Mr Taylor point his gun towards her and her dog through the window after she’d peered through the curtains.

Ms McDonnell said the following moments were “so quick” that she hadn’t realised her daughter had been standing behind her outside of the bedroom.

“(The gun) was aiming at me and (the dog) first, then Raini has obviously heard the commotion because she’s come to her bedroom door and he’s shot and ran,” Ms McDonnell said.

“Raini was just an innocent person, she didn’t deserve any of this.

“Once Raini went to the door, that’s when he shot and ran.

“I thought she was okay … but I lifted her shirt and there was shrapnel all in her gut.”

Ms McDonnell said her daughter’s liver “was smashed to pieces” and has since lost her gallbladder.

She also continues to have pellet shrapnel in her hands, the court was told.

Mr Taylor’s barrister, Angus Edwards, said the prosecution would need to prove whether there was any intent his client had intended to shoot Ms Cook.

He said the prosecution would need to prove “whether my client knew where she was standing” when he fired his gun and whether he’d “deliberately shot that girl” with intent.

The committal hearing was adjourned part heard to September 26 to allow the DPP time to consider Ms McDonnell’s evidence and whether it will continue with the attempted murder charge.

Mr Taylor’s co-accused, Chelsea Taylor McKinnon, had her matter adjourned to the same date for mention.

She was charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery and entering a dwelling with intent following the incident at Zillmere in October 2021.