Johnny Glogiewicz killed by police in Daisy Hill after seven-hour standoff

Daisy Hill residents say the 39-year-old shot and killed in a police standoff last week had a “beaming smile” and spent years in pain.

Johnny Glogiewicz, 39, was shot by police at Daisy Hill on July 3, 2025. Picture: Facebook

A man described as having a “beaming smile” who has long battled debilitating physical and mental pain has been identified as the man shot dead last week by police in regional Victoria.

Police killed Johnny Glogiewicz following a seven-hour standoff at a property on Menzies Drive in Daisy Hill on Thursday.

Officers tried to talk with Mr Glogiewicz when they arrived at the property just before 3pm, but he made threats to shoot them and indicated he had a knife, bombs and explosives, they said.

Specialist units were sent to handle the situation as Mr Glogiewicz fired shots from inside a shed where he was hiding.

Police said he did not live at the address and the owners did not know him.

Johnny Glogiewicz. Picture: Facebook

“He wasn’t keen at all at engaging with police, who attempted to negotiate with him, but unfortunately could not,” Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger said on Friday.

Neighbours said they heard police yell, “Get down on the ground” and “Hands in the air” about 6.30pm, more than three hours before the siege turned fatal.

Mr Glogiewicz emerged from the shed just before 10pm with what was believed to be a homemade gun, and then shot at police.

Officers returned fire and fatally wounded Mr Glogiewicz, who died at the scene.

“This is something no police officer certainly wants to be involved in when they’re in work,” Mr Grainger said.

“It’s incredibly sad for everyone involved.”

Nobody else was injured.

The property in Daisy Hill where Mr Glogiewicz was fatally shot by police. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

In the wake of the death, Daisy Hill residents wrote tributes to Mr Glogiewicz online.

“Still can’t believe it,” one person said.

“Going to miss the chats and laughs with him.”

Another said: “The beaming smile he had won’t be forgotten.”

Many commented on Mr Glogiewicz’s physical and mental health, saying he had spent years in pain.

He was described as “quiet, kind, and always willing to lend a hand – even while living with chronic pain and hardship”.

“He probably felt isolated and unheard,” one person wrote.

“It’s sad that this was the solution to end his suffering.

“Must have been a difficult decision for the police to make.”

A page dedicated to advocacy for NDIS participants said that while it did not condone any actions by Mr Glogiewicz that endangered other people, it was important to “understand the deeper struggles that may have led to such a desperate moment.”

“Johnny lived with disability, severe back pain, and mental health challenges - an invisible triad that too many people endure in silence,” it said.

“We mourn the loss of life, we acknowledge the trauma experienced by the police and community, and we hold space for the reality that mental illness and chronic pain can drive people into unimaginable corners.”