Man shot by police at Grange released from hospital day before

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has acknowledged “there is much more we can do” following the death of a man who had left a hospital the day before being shot by police. It’s the second case of its kind in weeks.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman acknowledged “there is much more we can do” to improve treatment access to mental health patients following the death of a man who had left a hospital the day before being shot by police.

In the second case of its kind in weeks, the 29-year-old was shot dead by police in front of his family after he lunged at officers with a knife and pitchfork in Grange on Sunday afternoon.

He had been taken to hospital by emergency services the day before following a mental health incident.

Ms Fentiman, who is also in charge of the mental health portfolio, is expecting to be briefed about the incident after a “comprehensive clinical review” into the man’s hospital treatment is completed.

The circumstances are similar to those of veteran Steven Angus, 52, who was shot by police on April 21, nine hours after he had been released by the Townsville University Hospital, following a mental health incident the day prior.

Police at a Days Rd, Grange, property where a man was fatally shot by officers on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

On Sunday police were called to the Days Rd home about 2.15pm after they received reports the man was armed with a knife and was trying to stab his father.

Ambulance officers were called to a mental health incident a day earlier and police helped escort the man to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. He was taken to hospital from a different address.

It’s unclear why or when the 29-year-old left the hospital.

Ms Fentiman refused to comment further on the specific issues of the case, citing privacy and the ongoing investigations.

But she said it was further evidence the treatment of patients needed to be prioritised when admitted for mental health grounds and stressed the government was “absolutely committed to injecting the much needed funds into our mental health system”.

“We know we need to do more,” the Minister said.

“It’s going to be one of my top priorities. We know there is absolute need out there.

“I don’t think any Queenslander doesn’t know someone — a colleague, a friend, a family member - that isn’t experiencing mental health challenges.

“We know coming out of Covid, particularly young people, have really experienced mental health challenges.

“We need to be there to resource the sector and support them. There is much more we can do.

“I’m really looking forward to talking to Queenslanders about what more we’re doing in this space.”

A distraught reaction to the shooting. Picture: Richard Walker

Speaking about the Grange incident, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers on Monday said “one would have thought” the man would have been given treatment he required at the hospital.

He said he hoped the coroner investigated the actions of the health department and called for a clinical health review into the man’s treatment at hospital including why he was released.

“One would’ve thought when the EA (emergency examination authority) was being taken out (on Saturday), this person would receive treatment at the hospital,” Mr Leavers said.

“This is not the first time in Queensland. The health system has and must do better to protect Queenslanders and police are being put in a very difficult situation.”

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers speaks to the media. Picture David Clark

Commissioner Katarina Carroll told morning television it was unclear why the 29-year-old was released from hospital.

“This has happened a couple of times … it happened just a few weeks ago…we really do need to get to the bottom of why this has happened to make sure that police don’t have to respond to such incidents,” she said.

Ms Carroll said it was “incredibly important” the coroner examined “why the release happened on both occasions”.

“We do have mental health co-responder models throughout the state and they are extraordinarily successful where police share information, they know who their clients are and respond together,” she said.

“When police go to such a tragic event … when a knife or a pitchfork is coming at you …you have little options sometimes.”

Hospital bosses last night confirmed a clinical review would be undertaken by Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Chief operating officer Jane Hancock said she was working with operational and clinical leaders at Metro North on the review.

“No patient in need of care is turned away from our facilities,” she said. “Due to confidentiality requirements, we are unable to provide any specific information relating to the patient. As the matter is subject to a police investigation, no further comment is available.”

In the case of Mr Angus, he surrendered the day before he was shot by police, following a siege at his Townsville home, and taken to hospital – with an expectation he would get mental health care – but was then released without police being told of his discharge.

Flowers left near the home where Sunday’s shooting occurred. Picture David Clark

At 4.40pm that afternoon he rushed police with knives, within 15 minutes of crews arriving, he was shot by the officers, who attempted CPR, but he died a short time later.

In relation to the Grange shooting, Mr Leavers said the man over a period of time had been displaying “odd behaviour requiring intervention”.

Mr Leavers said under mental health legislation if an ambulance officer or police officer believes a person is at risk to themselves or others, they can take them to hospital for examination.

“This is … a tragedy, and I’ll suggest this person should have been receiving treatment, should not have been at large in the community,” he said.

Mr Leavers said officers found the 29-year-old man under the house when they arrived on Sunday and he was “quite aggressive” towards police. He said an officer had gone to external stairs of the house to try to stop the man from going upstairs where others were inside.

“As police were trying to triangulate, the offender, armed with a knife and a pitchfork, has come at police,” he said.

“And the police officer who was at the stairs tried to retreat and that is when the other police officer used his firearm.

“Prior to the police officer using a firearm a taser was deployed, it was obviously ineffective and it didn’t connect.”
Mr Leavers said he had “no doubt” had the officer not used his firearm his colleague would have been stabbed in the back with the pitchfork.

“There is a likeliness that that police officer would have been killed,” he said. “We are very lucky we did not have a murdered police officer.”

Mr Leavers said there needed to be better information sharing between the health department with police and ambulance officers who were first responders.

“Because without that information it puts everyone at risk,” he said.

“I would suggest if a person is taken to hospital because of their mental health – because they are at risk to themselves or someone else – that would raise a flag.”

Mr Leavers said it was “even more necessary” for another clinical health review into the man’s death at Grange, given it followed the Townsville death just weeks ago.