Nicola and Darren Gilbert speak about son Luke’s police shooting death in Airlie Beach

The devastated parents of a young man shot dead in Airlie Beach at the weekend have broken their silence, speaking of their grief and demanding answers from the Queensland Police.

Luke GIlbert was shot and killed. Picture: Facebook

Standing in the kitchen of their home after a knock on the door from police, Darren and Nicola Gilbert received the news every parent dreads - their child was dead.

The devastated parents of young Western Australia man Luke Gilbert, who was shot dead in Airlie Beach at the weekend, have broken their silence, speaking of their grief and demanding answers from the Queensland Police.

Luke, 24, who was on holiday with his girlfriend, was shot by police in the early hours of Saturday, October 1, after they allege he rushed officers while armed with a knife.

Officers had told Luke, who was advancing armed with a black-handled knife with a 4-5cm blade, to put the weapon down and fired warning shots.

When he continued to move towards the officers, they were forced to open fire. Officers immediately started CPR but Luke died at the scene.

His parents have slammed the Queensland Police over the tragedy, and demanded answers.

“Two police officers came in, and they just stood, they didn’t even ask us to sit down, they just stood at the kitchen bench and said ‘we’re very sorry to tell you but your son has died’,” Mrs Gilbert told 9 News.

“We’ve lost our boy, the pain is beyond words, life is never going to be the same.”

“What happened? We need answers,” Mr Gilbert said.

“This is a massive failing of the Queensland Police.”

Speaking to reporters at Airlie Beach on Saturday, Superintendent Graeme Paine said officers fired their weapons about four or five times.

Police had been on foot in the Airlie Beach Safe Night Precinct when the man approached two officers, “produced a knife and advanced towards the officers”, Supt Paine said.

“As a result the officers have withdrawn their firearms and provided some directions to the male to drop the knife,” he said.

“That male has continued to advance towards the officers.”

Supt Paine said police had already spoken to a number of witnesses as part of their investigation.

The incident was captured on CCTV and police body worn cameras.

“We’re still investigating the circumstances, obviously it takes a little while for us to go back through what happened,” Supt Paine said.

He said police had been in contact with the man’s family in Western Australia.

“It’s a tragic circumstance for the family of the young man, also for the officers involved so we’re providing support,” Superintendent Paine said.

The Ethical Standards Command is investigating the incident including why the man approached officers.