Man shot by police at Rochedale after alleged threat with knife

Queensland’s Police Union president says body-worn camera footage will prove officers acted appropriately when they shot a knife-weilding man, after a taser failed to stop him.

Police shot a man at a warehouse Brisbane’s south after a Taser failed and he allegedly came at them with a knife.

Two officers were called to the car park of an Amart warehouse on Brickworks Place, Rochedale, about 5.50am on Monday after being told the man had threatened staff.

After the man refused to drop the knife an officer tried to Taser him, however it was ineffective.

The other officer then shot the man, 41, before police rendered tactical first aid and he was taken to hospital.

Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes said police were advised that the man was damaging vehicles in the car park and was “making a number of threats and calling out”.

Police investigate the scene of a crime at Amart Store Support Centre, Rochedale. Picture: Liam Kidston

“At one point in time his vehicle was used to drive into the business premises and caused some damage,” he said.

“He has then walked in to another part of the business premises at which that was the location where the police actually confronted him.”

Acting Chief Superintendent Holmes said the man was undergoing surgery after being shot and was in a serious but stable condition.

“He was making threats toward police, he advanced on the police, the Taser was used, it was ineffective,” he said of the incident.

“He continued to advance on police and not comply with their directions and the officers used their weapon to mitigate the threat ... he was shot one time.”

Police were working to establish if there were any connections between the man and the business.

The incident is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command (ESC).

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said police were originally tasked with a person driving erratically job, before it was updated with a man allegedly threatening and attacking staff at the warehouse.

A police officer at the scene of the shooting, which occurred on Monday morning. Picture: Liam Kidston

He said a fourth-year constable used a Taser however it was ineffective and the man continued with the knife.

“Their partner, who feared for their life of their colleague, used their firearm and shot a single shot towards the 41-year-old male, hitting the male person in the chest,” Mr Prior said.

“Once the [alleged] offender was moved from the knife, both the officers engaged tactical first aid, which I believe saved the life of this [alleged] offender.”

Mr Prior said the bodyworn footage of the shooting reviewed by ESC would show that the officers acted appropriately.

“What they will find is that the actions of these brave officers today were lawful and justified,” he said.

The Ethical Standards Command will investigate the shooting. . Picture: Liam Kidston

“They will find out that these officers worked in very trying conditions and were extraordinarily brave, and should be commended for that bravery.

“This once again demonstrates the unpredictable and dangerous nature of police work that our police in this country find themselves in every single day.

“We could have easily been talking about two officers that were seriously maimed or killed here today.”

Mr Prior said police did a dangerous job every day and denied officers in Queensland were “trigger happy” after multiple shooting incident in the past two years.

“Twelve officers a week are currently being assaulted, that is not good enough,” he said.

Police at the Amart store following the police incident.

“Our police are not punching bags. Our police deserve to go home to their families at the end of their shift.

“And I just do not accept that our police are trigger happy. They are doing a very, very, very hard job in a very dangerous environment.”

Amart staff were sent home after the incident and in a statement said no customers were on site at the time. No staff were injured.

“Amart is focused on supporting its employees and ensuring that business operations continue smoothly in the days ahead,” a statement said.

A shattered window could be seen at the scene.

Forensic investigations continue at the scene. Picture: Liam Kidston

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