Bray Park shooting: Man shot multiple times by police north of Brisbane
Queensland’s Police Commissioner has defended the officers involved in shooting a man who was not wielding a weapon.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man shot by police during an “extraordinarily serious” domestic violence incident in which he allegedly ran at officers threatening to stab them was holding an object but not a weapon, it can be revealed.
But Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has defended her officers, saying they had only “milliseconds” to respond to someone allegedly threatening them who claimed he had a knife.
Bret James, 45, was shot three times in the chest by officers who responded to an alleged domestic violence incident at his Burkell Crt home in Bray Park on Monday afternoon.
Mr James allegedly made threats to police that he had a knife when he ran at them, but The Courier-Mail understands he wasn’t armed with a weapon.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll defended her officers’ actions, saying they had seconds to assess a delicate situation.
“Police had to make a split decision to not only protect themselves, but also the other people that were there,” Ms Carroll said.
“I know that there were threats, and further work is being done on that, but I also know they had milliseconds to make that decision.
“It’s the last thing you want to do is take out your weapon.”
Police were called to the quiet street about 12.30pm on Monday to reports of a domestic violence incident and found a 37-year-old woman who had been injured.
Police claim they tried to engage with Mr James who then threatened to stab officers.
Neighbours reported hearing three gunshots about 12.42pm when an officer shot Mr James as he ran towards them, claiming he had a knife and was going to stab them.
The Courier-Mail understands Mr James was holding an implement, but it was not a knife or weapon.
Immediate first aid was conducted and Mr James was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
No charges have been laid.
On Monday, Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian said the officers felt threatened to the point they felt they had to pull their guns.
“Police are trained to use the minimal amount of force necessary to resolve a situation, on this occasion they have used force to try to resolve a situation,” Supt Fadian said.
Ms Carroll hadn’t spoken to the officers involved as of Tuesday morning, saying she preferred to let the incident “settle” for a couple of weeks.
“People think it doesn’t affect the police, and it actually does for the rest of their lives.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the incident would be thoroughly reviewed.
“Policing is a very difficult and dangerous role,” Mr Ryan said at a media conference in Toowoomba on Tuesday.
“Any critical incident like that is obviously reviewed by the appropriate authorities.
“But I’m very defensive of police needing to use their professionalism, skills and techniques to protect themselves in the community.
“They are well trained, they have use of force options and they’ll make the appropriate decision based on the circumstances.”
This matter is under investigation by Ethical Standards Command, with the investigation
WATCH: Youths busted over string of Brisbane break-ins
Two people, including a teenager, have been charged following a string of break ins and attempted break ins across North Brisbane.
Read more
Gun used in Logan gym shooting found at popular theme park
A rifle used to shoot a man during a “drug deal gone wrong” outside a Logan gym was located just over a week later at a Gold Coast theme park, a court has heard.
Read more