Mackay PSPA: Police shoot man dead on Bridge Road

More details about the circumstances leading up to a fatal police shooting at a West Mackay unit complex have been revealed. READ THE LATEST.

More details about the circumstances leading up to a fatal police shooting at a West Mackay unit complex have been revealed including that the entire incident was captured on the officers’ body worn cameras.

Police Union boss Ian Leavers said two officers, a Detective senior constable and a plain clothes constable, had been called to the Bridge Rd unit to help paramedics, who had been on scene for a man in distress and “armed with what was possibly a broken bottle”.

“What we know is when police have attended the scene they’ve approached the unit and they’ve seen this male person who appeared to be armed with a weapon,” Mr Leavers said.

“Police have then immediately retreated and set up cordon for safety reasons of course.

“This male person has come out of the unit with a firearm pointing it at police.

Mr Leavers said officers tried to negotiate and called on the 24 year old to drop the firearm.

“He hasn’t, he’s continued walking towards police and they have used a firearm to stop him,” Mr Leavers said.

“Police have immediately rendered first aid and did all they possibly could to assist this male person.”

Police union president Ian Leavers leaves Brisbane Magistrates court after giving evidence at the Hannah Clarke inquest. Picture: Brad Fleet

He was taken to Mackay Base Hospital but tragically died soon after.

Mr Leavers said the 24 year old was “well known to the Mackay mental health unit and had had interactions with them”.

He said both officers were “very experienced police” who were well respected in their roles – the Detective senior constable had almost 10 years with Queensland Police Service.

“This is a very sad case but just shows the difficult and dangerous nature of police work,” Mr Leavers said.

“When police have been called to assist paramedics, they’ve been confronted by a man with a weapon, who has then come out of his unit with a firearm pointed at police, had disregarded warning of police and police have been forced to use their firearm.”

Mr Leavers confirmed the Ethical Standards Command was investigating the matter and police were fully co-operating with the process.

He added the incident was captured on the officers’ body worn cameras.

“We know that police had activated their body worn (cameras), that is really important, that will provide valuable evidence for the investigation,” he said.

“The police union has our team on scene with our members supporting them through this very difficult process.

“This is one of those things that no police office ever wants to be involved in.

“But when your life is threatened and it is with a firearm which is visible, you have no other (option) than to protect your own life and that is exactly what police did on this occasion.”

Mr Leavers said thoughts went out to everyone involved.

‘BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG’: SHOCKED NEIGHBOUR

A neighbour has recalled the moment a man was fatally shot at a West Mackay home following police negotiations after a mental health check.

The 47-year-old man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he first noticed emergency services flooding the street about 3pm, before being told to remain indoors well into the evening.

“It was scary in the fact that when the gunshots happened,” he said.

“Bang, bang, bang, bang it was rapid fire, almost like an assault rifle type of thing."

“Made the anxiety levels go up," he said, adding he was asked to stay inside well into the evening.

Police were initially called to the Bridge Rd unit about 2.30pm for a welfare check, but the situation escalated and ultimately ended in tragedy when police were forced to shoot.

The scene where a 24-year-old Mackay man was fatally shot following a routine wellness check. Photo: Mitchell Dyer

Superintendent Graeme Paine on Monday night said the man, a 24 year old, had reportedly produced what appeared to be a firearm and moved towards the officers.

He was shot and critically injured; there were resuscitation attempted but tragically he died a short time later at hospital.

The man was known to his neighbour, who said he had a history of aggression toward the neighbourhood.

Police at the scene where a 24-year-old Mackay man was fatally shot following a routine wellness check. Photo: Mitchell Dyer

“That particular fella we have had a history of problems," he said.

"Next door here has been threatened before … he’s a 75 year old man.”

The police will continue their investigation into the matter, keeping sections of the street closed to the public during that time.

Roads were blocked off as police investigations continued. Photo: Mitchell Dyer

HOW WELFARE CHECK LED TO POLICE SHOOTING

A man has died after he was shot when he reportedly brandished a firearm at officers following police negotiations at a West Mackay home.

Superintendent Graeme Paine said the man was taken to the nearby Mackay Base Hospital but died shortly afterwards.

The drama unfolded after officers were called to conduct a welfare check, police said.

Police attended an address on Bridge Street following reports a man had threatened self-harm.

“About 2.30pm … police responded to a call for service at a resident in … West Mackay,” Superintendent Paine said.

“Upon arrival at the place police commenced talking to a male resident.”

Mackay Police District Officer Superintendent Graeme Paine said police had shot dead a man following negotiations at a property along Bridge Rd in Mackay on November 21, 2022. Picture: Heidi Petith

Superintendent Paine said as a result of the negotiations police began formal negotiations.

“A short time later the male has moved towards the officers and produced what the officers believed to be a firearm,” Superintendent Paine said.

“The officers have discharges their weapons which has struck the male.”

Mackay police cordoned off streets in an unfolding emergency along Bridge Rd on Monday, November 21, 2022 which resulted in officers shooting a man. Picture: Heidi Petith

First aid was rendered but “unfortunately he has died as a result of his injuries”.

“The male was taken to hospital where he received further medical treatment but unfortunately he was unable to be revived,” Superintendent Paine said.

Superintendent Paine said could not confirm if anyone else was in the home at the time of the negotiations and shooting, how long the negotiations were ongoing or exactly what time the shots were fired.

“At this stage they’re very initial inquiries … there’s limited information,” Superintendent Paine said.

Mackay police cordoned off streets in an unfolding emergency along Bridge Rd on Monday, November 21, 2022 which resulted in officers shooting a man. Picture: Heidi Petith

The QPS Ethical Standards Command and the Crime and Corruption Commission will now investigate the matter.

A report will be prepared for the coroner as the Ethical Standards Command begins investigations.

“The CCC will come up and conduct an investigation of the matter,” Superintendent Paine said.

This follows a police shooting in Airlie Beach in the early hours of October 1 which claimed the life of Luke Gilbert.

Police shot the 24 year old over claims he lunged at officers while armed with a knife about 12.20am in the tourism centre’s main street.

Luke Gilbert, the young WA man who was fatally shot by police in Airlie Beach, after he allegedly approached them with a knife. Picture: Facebook

A neighbour described the moment the gunshots rang out in his West Mackay street.

Police shot the man after a number of streets were cordoned off in an unfolding emergency on Monday afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to an address on Bridge Rd in Mackay about 2.30pm after reports a man was making threats.

Police have confirmed the man was shot during the standoff about 5.15pm and paramedics were called back to the scene.

The neighbour, who identified himself as Clint, said he saw ‘a fair few’ police officers putting their bulletproof vests on and later heard about five shots fired.

He said it was ‘bound to happen’ as the man shot allegedly ‘had a gun’.

Clint was inside his Mackay home when he heard about five shots ring out during a nearby police negotiation situation.

“We live near the hospital, everything happens here,” Clint said.

Clint said he had lived in the street for about a year, with his home owned by family for about 20 years.

He said he had never heard gunshots in the area before, but recognised the sound right away.

He said thankfully, his young children were inside at the time of the incident and were unaware of what was going on down the street.

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokesperson referred all media queries back to police, who have not yet revealed further details of the shooting, however it is understood the man has been rushed to the nearby Mackay Hospital.

Police have made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) due to an ongoing incident in West Mackay. Picture: Supplied

EARLIER: An emergency declaration was made at 4.10pm under the Public Safety Preservation Act with an exclusion zone set up including sections of Bridge Rd, Hume St and Streeter Ave while police negotiated with the man.

A police statement at 5.04pm said there was no imminent danger to the public.

“Traffic diversions are in place near Hume St and Streeter Ave for access to Mackay Base Hospital,” it said.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone are asked to remain indoors until further notice.”

The situation is the second shooting incident involving Mackay region police in recent months, with a man shot dead after allegedly rushing at police while armed with a knife in Airlie Beach last month.