Video shows horror as cops shoot man with knife dead at Airlie Beach

Witness footage has captured the panicked reaction of onlookers as a man is shot dead by police at one of Australia’s most popular tourist towns.

Footage has captured the horrified reaction of onlookers after a man was shot dead by police at one of Australia’s most popular beach towns.

The police union claims officers had no choice but to shoot the 24-year-old man, who allegedly ‘lunged’ at them with a knife in the Whitsundays at Queensland’s Airlie Beach at around 12:20am on Saturday.

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

Officers conducted first aid on the man, who was originally from WA, and he was transported to Proserpine Hospital but died shortly after.

A 24-year-old man was shot dead by police at Airlie Beach in the early hours of Saturday morning.

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

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

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

“They just **** shot him ****. He just kept walking to the cops.”

Police allege the man produced a knife and advanced towards officers despite their verbal warnings to stop.

Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers said the man 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.

Investigators swarmed the Airlie Beach party strip where the shooting took place. Photo: Janessa Ekert

Superintendent Graeme Paine said the incident was captured on CCTV and that 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.

“The officers do make an assessment and act based on that assessment.

“It’s a tragic circumstance for the family of the young man and also for the officers involved,”

Videos were captured of the event and posted to social media.

Union boss Ian 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,” Leavers 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.