Man dies after being shot by police in Ilbilbie, south of Mackay
Police claim a man they shot and killed in a rural Queensland motel was being taken out of a vehicle to be arrested when he “produced” a gun in the lead-up to the fatal moment. It comes as the victim has been identified.
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Police claim a man they shot and killed at a motel in a rural town south of Mackay was being removed from a vehicle to be arrested when he “produced” a gun, leading officers to open fire.
Officers went to the Country View Motel at Ilbilbie about 10.30am as part of a targeted drug operation in relation to John William Roche, 39.
Superintendent Graeme Paine said police were at the motel conducting “targeted operations” in relation to Roche, who was last registered at a NSW address.
“This male was wanted on a number of matters as a result police conducted an operation this morning where we arrived at the location in Greenhill at approximately 10:30 this morning,” he said.
“As officers approached the vehicle in the carpark at the location a male person has entered the vehicle.”
He said when officers approached Roche to arrest him, he allegedly produced a firearm.
“During the process officers subsequently discharged their firearms striking the male.”
Superintendent Paine said police immediately undertook medical assistance, but the man died at the scene,” he said.
“We’ll conduct a thorough investigation through our ethical standards command and it’ll be reviewed by the CCC.
“We’ll look at every stage of the process.”
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it had not yet been confirmed what kind of weapon Roche had brandished, nor if police had tried to disarm him using another method first.
The shooting happened around 10.30am and CPR was performed on Roche by police, but he died at the scene.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
No officers have been stood down.
This is the fourth police shooting within the Mackay police district within 18 months.
Superintendent Paine said the use of force by police is heavily scrutinised.
“Every single matter is investigated individually.
“The evidence to date doesn’t indicate any linkage between other matters.”
Barely two months ago, David Dowker was fatally shot at a Bowen motel.
Emergency services were called to the North Australian Motel in Herbert St about 5.30am on December 14, 2024 following reports the 58-year-old had been naked and acting erratically.
While paramedics were dealing with him it is understood he armed himself with a large cane knife and as a result police were called.
Dowker approached officers while armed, he was told to drop the knife and refused. As a result one of the officers discharged his firearm, striking him in the chest and he died at the scene.
On November 21, 2022 Andrew White was fatally shot after officers were called to a Bridge Rd unit to help paramedics, who were responding to a mental health call-out about 2.30pm.
Mr White had been in distress and holding what was believed to be a broken bottle before arming himself with a firearm and pointing it at police.
Officers tried negotiating with the 24 year old to drop the weapon but Police Union boss Ian
Leavers said Mr White continued walking towards them.
As a result the two experienced officers – a detective senior constable and plain clothes constable – were forced to use their weapons.
And in the early hours of October 1, 2022 Luke Gilbert was shot dead following an incident at Airlie Beach.
Police shot the 24 year old over claims he moved forward while armed with a knife about 12.20am in the tourism centre’s main street.
Officers fired three times at Mr Gilbert.
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