Man who allegedly ‘threatened officers with a knife’ shot dead at Townsville’s Kirwan police station
The man was allegedly armed with a knife.
A man shot dead by an officer outside a Townsville police station was hit by a bullet and a Taser at the same time.
The 46-year-old man was allegedly brandishing a knife when he went to Kirwan police station about 10pm on Saturday.
Two officers confronted him at the front of the station, before he could get inside the building.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“One officer has produced firearm. The other officer has produced a taser,” Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Brosnan said.
“Both the taser and the firearm have discharged when the male has failed to comply with direction.”
The officer shot the man twice, although Brosnan declined to say where on the body.
Officers gave him first aid but the Cranbrook man was declared dead at short time later.
An ethical standards investigation will be conducted.
Why the man went to the police station is unknown, Brosnan said.
He suggested police were unable to deescalate the situation to the point that the officer did not need to use deadly force.
“Unfortunately, at times, we are not given that opportunity (to deescalate) and as such have to use force,” Brosnan said.
“It is not something that we do lightly and it would be something we would rather avoid.”
Originally published on 7NEWS
