Fiery protest outside Mareeba police station after shooting death of 27-year-old Aubrey Donahue
Dozens of protesters have rallied outside the Mareeba police station, holding “black lives matter” and “jail killer cops” signs, after the shooting death of 27-year-old Aubrey Donahue.
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Tensions are rising at a fiery protest outside the Mareeba police station, with dozens of family members, friends and supporters of a man shot dead by officers at the weekend hurling abuse at authorities.
A number of protesters are holding “black lives matter” and “jail killer cops” signs, in the wake of the shooting death of 27-year-old Aubrey Donahue.
The Mareeba man was shot by police after a four-hour siege at a Love Street address on Saturday, after he allegedly approached officers with a knife.
A police spokesman said CPR was performed but Mr Donahue could not be revived.
Police attended following reports Mr Donahue threatened self-harm and allege Mr Donahue was not allowing another occupant of the house, a woman, to leave.
Mr Donahue’s mother, Desley, told a tense, 100-strong crowd at a community meeting on Sunday that she was at a loss to understand why her son had died.
“My son has got bullet holes in his body. I’m his mother, and they (police) aren’t telling me anything,” she said.
At a media conference held on Sunday afternoon, Far North regional crime co-ordinator Detective Acting Superintendent Sonia Smith said an “extensive investigation” into the circumstances surrounding Mr Donahue’s death was underway.
The incident is being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner.
It will be overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Originally published as Fiery protest outside Mareeba police station after shooting death of 27-year-old Aubrey Donahue