Queensland Police charge man after alleged knife incident and police shooting at Kingaroy Hospital
A man has been charged following a terrifying incident at a Queensland hospital that ended with him being shot by police.
Queensland Police officers were called to Kingaroy Hospital at 7.20pm on Saturday, August 9 following reports a man was brandishing a knife inside the emergency department.
A group of five police officers descended on the hospital and the man allegedly threatened them with the knife.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The man was shot by the officers, who provided medical assistance at the scene with the help of hospital staff.
He was airlifted to Sunshine Coast Hospital for surgery, where he remains a patient.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said the 59-year-old was charged with going armed to cause fear and three counts of serious assault of a police officer.
The morning after the shooting, Det-Supt. George Marchesini, the regional crime coordinator of the Southern Police Region, acknowledged that the incident had been difficult for those at the scene.
“Can I just say that this has been a traumatic incident for all involved, and our officers are receiving professional support as we speak,” he said.
The Courier-Mail reported at the time that a witness, Les Lane, said the man was allegedly “agitated” inside the hospital before the shooting.
He said the man went inside the toilet after talking to staff and when he came out, he allegedly had a knife in his hand.
“It was a kitchen knife, about 20cm long,” he said.
Det-Supt Marchesini confirmed that when the five police officers arrived at the scene, the man was out the front of the hospital.
Mr Lane claims he heard one gunshot fired.
“After the gunshot it would’ve been 30 seconds before they were calling for paramedics and they went out and rendered assistance,” he said.
The 58-year-old is due to appear at the Kingaroy Magistrates Court on October 18.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with Queensland Police’s Ethical Standards Command investigating.
