Armed man shot dead by police at The Strand, Townsville

Queensland Police Union said the officers involved faced “a confronting, highly volatile and life threatening situation” and their intervention may have prevented “multiple casualties”.

Alleged police shooting in Mitchell Street near the corner of McLinley Street, North Ward. Police at unit complex in McLinley Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

A machete and knife-wielding man has been shot dead after lunging at officers in Townsville on Saturday morning.

Three officers responded after receiving reports from a member of the public this morning that a man armed with multiple weapons was near The Strand in Townsville about 9.50am.

Police shooting in Mitchell Street near the corner of McKinley Street, North Ward. Police at unit complex in McLinley Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

Queensland Police Union said the officers involved faced “a confronting, highly volatile and life threatening situation” and their intervention may have prevented “multiple casualties”.

Union president Shane Prior said the Strand was full of families and members of the public.

“These officers put themselves in a life-threatening situation to protect the public. I have every confidence that these officers’ actions will be deemed as authorised, justified and lawful by the coroner,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for their early intervention, we may very well have seen multiple casualties, murders and possibly people being injured on the strand today.”

Three male constables aged 29, 27 and 20 all fired on the man. Another two officers had deployed tasers unsuccessfully while two more police had drawn their firearms.

Superintendent Chris Lawson said officers were originally called to an address at McKinley, but their interactions with the man spread to Mitchell Street.

“He’s now deceased and Queensland Police are conducting investigations to establish what had occurred,” he said.

“It is truly a devastating event for the police involved and family and friends of the victim.”

Superintendent Lawson said there were “a lot of unknowns” including the man’s personal details.

Police shooting in Mitchell Street near the corner of McKinley Street, North Ward. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It’s still very raw and it hasn’t been long since it occurred, we’re still piecing through the evidence,” he said.

“Our police are very well trained in how to handle instances.

“Sometimes they require lethal force to make it come to an end, it’s very concerning because it’s a lot of support we have to provide to our officers.”

Medical assistance was immediately rendered, however the man died at the scene.

This is the third police shooting in Townsville this year.

In January, a 23-year-old Kirwan man was shot after allegedly threatening officers with a knife on Lillipilli Street in Vincent and in a separate incident, a 17-year-old girl was shot who was also allegedly armed with a knife at West End.

Superintendent Lawson said there was no threat to the public and the incident involved a single person.

He said parts of McKinley and Mitchell Streets would remain closed, as a “crime scene” for the “foreseeable future”, and members of the public should avoid the area.

Police shooting in Mitchell Street near the corner of McLinley Street, North Ward. Police at unit complex in McKinley Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

On scene, a couple of concerned members of the public gathered who said they had heard sirens but had little idea as to what had occurred.

One tourist who was visiting Townsville was waiting to access his rental accommodation that had been blocked off by police.

Earlier, a Queensland Ambulance spokesman said paramedics were on scene and assessed a male patient in a “life-threatening condition”.

The matter is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command, with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Originally published as Armed man shot dead by police at The Strand, Townsville