Police called by residents in fear shoot and kill Gold Coaster Liam Scorsese

THE Gold Coaster — shot and killed by a rookie cop today — had a chequered history with bikie links but his lawyer remembers him as a “respectful gentleman”.

THE Gold Coaster — shot and killed by a rookie cop today — had a chequered history with bikie links but his lawyer remembers him as a “respectful gentleman”.

Sources have confirmed to the Gold Coast Bulletin the deceased is 31-year-old Liam Scorsese — shot twice by one of two officers who attended a dramatic domestic call-out this morning.

His lawyer Ashkan Tai, posting to social media this afternoon, uploaded a photo of himself with Mr Scorsese, writing of his client: “In all my professional dealings with you, you were a gentleman and always respectful. What an absolute tragedy regardless of the circumstances.”

Defence lawyer Ashkan Tai (left) with his Gold Coast client Liam Scorsese, who was shot and killed this morning by police during a dramatic domestic call-out. Mr Tai has posted to Instagram to say: "RIP Liam Scorsese. A life taken far too early. I am not sure what happened this morning when the police killed you, but I promise I will make sure your family knows the truth no matter what that might be. In all my professional dealings with you, you were a gentleman and always respectful. What an absolute tragedy regardless of the circumstances.”

In the post, Mr Tai, of Ashkan Tai Lawyers, adds: “RIP Liam Scorsese. A life taken far too early. I am not sure what happened this morning when the police killed you, but I promise I will make sure your family knows the truth no matter what that might be.”

Mr Scorsese, who reportedly operated a Gold Coast barbershop, hasn’t been far from the headlines in the past 18 months — including being convicted of a random assault on a bus driver in Surfers Paradise in broad daylight.

Earlier today, a police statement said a man had been shot during an incident in Wakerley, Brisbane, this morning.

Liam Scorsese on the Gold Coast last year.

Police were called to a disturbance about 9.50am at a residence in Goulburn Street.

It is believed police had tried to taser the man who is understood to have had a knife.

There were reports the man was heard yelling at police to “shoot me, shoot me”.

A police statement just after 1pm said: “The 31-year-old Gold Coast man was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition however has since been pronounced deceased.”

The Ethical Standards Command was investigating on behalf of the State Coroner with the assistance of the Crime and Corruption Commission, police said.

VICTIM WAS ‘ENRAGED, ARMED’

EARLIER AN ‘enraged, armed’ man shot and killed by a rookie cop during a triple 000 domestic call-out this morning was a 31-year-old Gold Coaster, police have confirmed.

Two police, described as “quite junior” in their careers by Acting Chief Superintendent Mick Niland, attended the Brisbane incident after reports a man armed with a knife was trying to break into a residence.

Police and Forensic Services officers attend the scene of a shooting in the suburb of Wakerley where a Gold Coast man was shot and killed by police in Brisbane, Sunday, February 25, 2018. Police were called by residents who were in fear of a man reportedly armed with a knife and trying to break in. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

The occupants, who knew the man, were in fear for their lives, Detective Supt. Niland said, adding the man had a knife and police attempted to taser him.

The taser was activated but did not work, he said, declining to clarifying whether he meant it didn’t work on the man or didn’t work as it is supposed to.

“The call to police was that he was armed, he was enraged. The male person has threatened police. Police retreated 50 or 60 metres down the road. Police shot the male person, he is deceased,” Acting Chief Supt. Niland said.

“It is a traumatic event for the family of the deceased, our officers are also traumatised by the event and we are doing our best to try and support them,” Acting Chief Supt. Niland.

Acting Chief Supt. Mick Niland: “The call to police was that he was armed, he was enraged. The male person has threatened police. Police retreated 50 or 60 metres down the road. Police shot the male person, he is deceased,” Picture: Jono Searle

Earlier today, a police statement said a man had been shot during an incident in Wakerley this morning.

Police were called to a disturbance about 9.50am at a residence in Goulburn Street, Brisbane.

It is believed police had tried to taser the man who is understood to have had a knife.

There were reports the man was heard yelling at police to “shoot me, shoot me”.

He was shot twice by police, AAP reported.

Detective Supt. Niland said one of the officers had fired both shots.

A police statement just after 1pm said: “The 31-year-old Gold Coast man was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition however has since been pronounced deceased.”

The Ethical Standards Command was investigating on behalf of the State Coroner with the assistance of the Crime and Corruption Commission, police said.