Man shot by cops in Vincent now facing court
A Townsville man who survived being shot by police is now set to face court just three weeks after being discharged from hospital. Here’s why.
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A Townsville man who survived being shot by police is now set to face court just three weeks after being discharged from hospital.
Police shot the 23-year-old Kirwan man after he allegedly threatened officers with a knife at a home on Lillipilli St, Vincent, on January 28.
At the time, officers had been responding to a call from the man’s family, who reported that he was making threats with a large knife during a mental health incident.
As officers were helping an elderly woman out of the home, police will allege that the man suddenly lunged at them with a knife.
A male first-year constable fired off three shots, with one bullet making impact with the 23-year-old man’s chest.
Police say they immediately applied tactical first aid at the scene before he was rushed to Townsville University Hospital, where he remained in a critical but stable condition for several days.
He was eventually discharged from hospital on Thursday, February 6, six days after police had charged him with two counts of serious assault of a police officer whilst armed with a weapon.
He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 27.
Police said the shooting was still under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command.
Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior has defended the officer’s actions during the incident.
“Police had no option but to use a firearm. In this instance, they had fear for both their lives and also the life of a family member involved,” he said.
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Originally published as Man shot by cops in Vincent now facing court
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