Major breakthrough after tradie Ryan Cole allegedly gunned down a woman Natalie Frahm outside her home - and the infuriating question everyone wants answered

A firearm has been seized after a tradie allegedly shot a woman dead outside her home and wounded a good Samaritan who had tried to help. 

Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, allegedly shot his neighbour Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, in the head and chest as she pulled up in her car outside her house on Robb Place at South Mackay, in Queensland, last Wednesday afternoon.

He is also accused of shooting James Trevor McGill, 66, who rushed to Ms Frahm's aid after the alarm was raised by two teenagers who were in her car at the time. 

Investigators have combed through Cole's home on the same street and removed a number of items including three weapons which will undergo forensic testing. 

Detective acting superintendent Emma Novosel said police believe a .22 calibre pistol was used during the alleged attack.

Supt Novosel said police also discovered a 'homemade, inoperable, longarm rifle, an air rifle' at the home, according to the Courier Mail.

Police have drawn on conversations with Mr McGill, eyewitnesses and forensic experts to rule out the two rifles as the alleged murder weapon.

All of Cole's firearms are now believed to have been confiscated, however questions remain as to how he had the weapons despite being stripped of his firearms license in 2021.

'This person had firearms illegally. His weapons licence had been cancelled. Police had taken those weapons off him,' Queensland Police minister Mark Ryan said.

'Part of the investigation will look at how he might've come into possession of this illegal firearm... but that work, we've got to allow police to do'

Supt Novosel said none of the weapons found at Cole's home are 'currently nor have they been previously registered'. 

'Investigations are ongoing into the origin of the pistol,' she said.

Supt Novosel was unable to comment on whether any checks had been made on Cole after being stripped of his license.

Daily Mail Australia understands the property where Cole was living is owned by his mother, however, it is unclear whether she was also residing at the premises.

Ms Frahm moved to Mackay several years ago from her hometown, of Mount Isa, located 1,230 km west in outback Queensland.

A heartbroken friend paid tribute to the woman online describing her as a 'beautiful angel'.

The tragedy has rocked the quiet coastal suburb, which thrusted into a massive three-hour emergency lockdown as police searched for the alleged shooter.

Supt Novosel previously said Cole was known to police and there was no clear motive for the alleged shootings.

Police investigations also revealed Cole and Ms Frahm were unknown to each other before the alleged attack.

He appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court last Thursday via watch-house video link, charged with murder and attempted murder.

He appeared in court again on Friday morning and was remanded to September.