Grieving parents of man fatally shot by police at Airlie Beach speak out

The devastated parents of a 24-year-old shot and killed by police in the Whitsundays have shared the way police informed them he had died.

The parents of a young man shot and killed by a policeman on a popular Queensland tourist beach have shared the heartbreaking way they were informed of his death.

Luke Gilbert was spending a night out in Airlie Beach with his girlfriend when he allegedly approached police with a pen knife during a patrol of Airlie Beach in the early hours of Saturday.

The 24-year-old allegedly advanced at the officers with the knife and was shot – he died at the scene.

Luke Gilbert, the young WA man who was fatally shot by police in Airlie Beach, after he allegedly approached them with a knife. Picture: Facebook

His parents Darren and Nicola Gilbert have spoken publicly for the first time in an interview with 9News where they shared the chilling details of how police informed the couple of their son’s death.

“Two police officers came in and they just stood, they didn’t even ask us to sit down, and they just stood at the kitchen bench and just said, ‘We’ve very sorry to tell you but your son has died’,” Ms Gilbert said.

The young man had grown up in Western Australia but had been working in Townsville when the incident happened last weekend.

Darren and Nicola Gilbert were devastated at the way they found out about their 24-year-old son's death. Picture: 9 News

His father has demanded an explanation for why his son was shot five times.

“What happened? We need answers,” he said.

“This is a massive failing of the Queensland police.”

The 24-year-old’s brother Zac Gilbert shared a tribute on Facebook detailing his heartbreak.

The party strip at Airlie Beach where Mr Gilbert was shot and killed. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Video footage of the incident captured the shock of bystanders as gun shots fired out. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“I don’t know how to say this It’s not even sinking in yet and it doesn’t seem real,” he wrote.

“Life will never be the same, he deserved a lot better than this! I can’t believe this has happened.”

Officers immediately rendered first aid to Mr Gilbert, who was transported to Proserpine Hospital but died a short time later.

The incident was captured on video by people who were in the area at the time.

The police union has claimed that officers had no choice but to shoot. Picture: Facebook

In one video, shots can be heard in the background and a man saying, “They just f***ing shot him.

“I thought they were gonna get him with a taser.

“They just f***ing shot him c***s. He just kept walking to the cops.”

The police union claims officers had no choice but to shoot the 24-year-old, who allegedly “lunged” at them with a knife.

Despite police drawing their weapons and telling him to stop, Mr Gilbert allegedly continued towards them after which they fired four to five shots.

Superintendent Graeme Paine said officers are well trained to deal with different threats. Picture: Facebook

Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers said Mr Gilbert had “all of a sudden produced a knife from his hoodie and started threatening police”.

“The police have tried to further engage and they have retreated and moved from that location and tried and continue to communicate with that male person,” he told reporters.

“At a point, (he) has lunged at police and they’ve had no other alternative but to use their firearm.

“Police did all they could to try and resolve this matter peacefully.”

The popular Airlie Beach tourist strip was full of investigators on Saturday trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police shot the 24-year-old four times. Picture: Jessica Grewal

Superintendent Graeme Paine said the incident was captured on CCTV and police were speaking to several witnesses.

He added that the officers involved were well trained to respond to different threats.

“The officers … go through a process, even when it’s a split-second thing,” Superintendent Paine said.

Mr Leavers noted the officers would also be dealing with the tragic loss of life.

“This is quite traumatic and no police officer ever wants to use their firearm in any way shape or form,” he said.

The incident is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the state coroner and is subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.