Freed immigration detainee Masi Ayiik shot after allegedly charging at police with metal pole

A man shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast after allegedly running at officers with a metal pole was a former immigration detainee on five sets of bail.

A freed immigration detainee shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast was on five sets of bail when he allegedly ran at officers with a metal pole, a court has heard.

Masi Ayiik, 33, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday after copping a bullet to the armpit at the weekend.

It was revealed on Sunday that Mr Ayiik was among the hundreds of immigration detainees ­released in December 2023 following a landmark High Court ruling.

He had been facing deportation for serious criminal offences.

Since his release, the Lynbrook man has been bailed almost half a dozen times, with the prosecution on Monday seeking to revoke five sets of bail.

Police at the scene in Paperbark St. Picture: Tony Gough

On Saturday, police were called to Paperbark St in Doveton about 10.30am after reports of an ­argument between a man and a woman.

Detectives allege Mr Ayiik charged at six officers with an A-frame metal pole before chasing them about 30m down the street.

Southern Metropolitan Region Acting Commander Wayne Viney said the officers had no other option but to shoot him.

“Whilst being arrested, he broke free from police members, chased police members down the street with this large metal pole,” he said.

“One of the members, fearing for the life and safety of the other police members … that male was shot.”

It is understood the officers were then forced to use OC spray, with a man later seen pouring water over Mr Ayiik’s head before he was taken to Dandenong Hospital for treatment.

Police say the officer had no other option but to shoot. Picture: Tony Gough

He was remanded in custody on Sunday evening after he was charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, common assault, assaulting police and four counts of ­resisting police.

His defence lawyer Daniel McGlone told the court on Monday his client would apply for bail again, but noted it would be a complex application.

“There’s also revocation for five bails, so it’s more than just the bail application,” he said.

“The difficulty is the revocation applications because they relate to a further five sets of offending.”

The nature of this alleged offending remains unclear, but three of the five matters will be prosecuted by the Australian Federal Police.

Mr McGlone said the application would also grapple with the state’s new bail laws, which came into effect last week.

Mr Ayiik appeared confused when he was told his bail application would be heard on Tuesday because the court could not accommodate the hearing late on Monday.

“What case are we hearing tomorrow?” he asked Magistrate Michelle Hodgson.

A bullet struck Mr Ayiik in the armpit area. Picture: Tony Gough

Under the conditions of his bridging visa, Mr Ayiik was ordered to abide by a curfew and wear an ankle bracelet.

He allegedly breached his visa conditions in December and again in January.

Mr Ayiik was among hundreds of criminals, including murderers and rapists, who were cut loose on the nation’s streets after the High Court ruled a stateless Rohingya man, known only as NZYQ and convicted of child sex abuse, could not be indefinitely detained.

The Herald Sun revealed this month that the ruling had so far cost taxpayers $100m, as the number of detainees freed reached 291.

Originally published as Freed immigration detainee Masi Ayiik shot after allegedly charging at police with metal pole