Mt Gravatt police incident: Man shot after cop stabbed in face
A police officer who suffered a “really horrendous injury” when he was slashed in the face with a knife remains in hospital, as the alleged attacker - who was shot “multiple times” by police - has undergone surgery.
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A policewoman has opened fire on a man after her partner was stabbed in the face during a call-out in Brisbane’s south.
It is understood the two officers attended an address at Hillgrove St, Mt Gravatt East, about 5pm on Wednesday to deliver paperwork when they were allegedly confronted by a man wielding a knife.
The male officer was slashed in the face, just under his eye, before his partner fired her weapon several times. Police confirmed the man was shot in the abdomen “multiple times”.
Talking to the media on Thursday morning, Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said last night’s shooting was a “very difficult response”.
“One of our officers has suffered a really horrendous injury,” he said.
He said while the officer would recover, he would have a “lifelong reminder of what has happened to him.”
Mr Gollschewki confirmed the two officers went to the Mt Gravatt East home to serve some documents.
“It was a fairly routine policing action for them and they weren’t expecting anything untoward,” he said.
Multiple police and ambulance crews raced to the scene last night, with an ambulance spokesperson saying two people were taken to hospital.
Neighbour Victoria Frick, 26, said she was “shaken” after witnessing a policeman with a stab wound and “blood all over his face”.
“I was just in my studio and then heard some bangs and I didn’t know what they were,” she said.
“Then I heard some lady screaming so I rushed outside to see what was going on. I saw a cop, running down the street with blood all over his face, it was a bit scary to see that.
“I thought it was fireworks or something but then it sounded more serious when I heard a woman’s voice sort of panicked.”
Ms Frick said she saw the man who had been shot was sitting on the grass.
“There was a female officer holding a gun that was telling him to stay down ... he was doing that, they were asking him to throw the knife away.”
She said she heard two gunshots and could see the man laying on his back at the end before an ambulance arrived.
“Then there was just a rush of cop cars, it was crazy, police everywhere,” Ms Frick said.
Another neighbour ran over to assist the wounded policeman.
“(the neighbour) was amazing, he went over with towels to go and help the police officer who had been stabbed in the face,” Ms Frick said.
The alleged knifeman, 25, was understood to be in a critical condition last night, with police on Thursday morning confirmed the man remained in hospital following overnight surgery.
The injured constable was also still in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigations were continuing on Thursday morning with police still at the scene. The Ethical Standard Command will oversee the investigation.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident that has not come forward or motorists with relevant dashcam footage to contact police.
Police Union Secretary Mick Barnes said the incident was a reminder of the risks police take every day to keep the community safe.
“This violent unprovoked attack on police shows the dangerous and difficult job that police actually do,” he said.
“People are often quick to blame police and abuse them at protests - yet they forget we are the ones who still put our lives on the line for those very same people every time we put on a uniform.
“It shows that even what seems like the most basic of jobs for police to perform - such as serving paperwork - can end with a police officer almost murdered.
“We are lucky we do not have murdered police officers and the courage demonstrated by both officers typifies the spirit of those who work in the Queensland Police Service.”
#BREAKING | A major incident is unfolding in Upper Mt Gravatt this afternoon, @GeorgiHill10 will have the latest from the scene at 6 pic.twitter.com/KSoxQ0lSu2
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) August 5, 2020
Breaking: major police incident underway at Mt Gravatt. Witnesses have reported hearing gunshots. More details soon @10NewsFirstQLD 📸 Mira Healey pic.twitter.com/NtUWeJ9Csi
— Georgina Hill (@GeorgiHill10) August 5, 2020
Ms Frick said she was shaken after witnessing a policeman with a stab wound and “blood all over his face”.
“I was just in my studio and then heard some bangs and I didn’t know what they were,” she said.
“Then I heard some lady screaming so I rushed outside to see what was going on.
“I saw a cop running down the street with blood all over his face, it was a bit scary to see that.
“I thought it was fireworks or something but then it sounded more serious when I heard a woman’s voice sort of panicked.”
Ms Frick said she saw the man who had been shot was sitting on the grass.
“There was a female officer holding a gun that was telling him to stay down... he was doing that, they were asking him to throw the knife away.”
She said she heard two gunshots and could see the man lying on his back at the end before an ambulance arrived.
“Then there was just a rush of cop cars, it was crazy, police everywhere,” Ms Frick said.
Another neighbour ran over to assist the wounded policeman.
“(The neighbour) was amazing, he went over with towels to go and help the police officer who had been stabbed in the face,” she said.
