Police shooting near Willows Shopping Centre, Thuringowa Central
A man wanted on serious offences remains in hospital after a police shooting in Townsville. LATEST.
Townsville
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A Townsville man who was shot by police on Sunday afternoon remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
The man, who was wanted on a number of alleged serious criminal offences according to police, was shot during a confrontation with police at Willows Shopping Centre, Thuringowa Central.
On Sunday evening, police were not able to reveal too much information as they waited for Ethical Standards Command to arrive from Brisbane, but Acting Superintendent Damien Crosby said specialist police were called in when the man was spotted.
Shortly after police arrived, the man was shot. Officers rendered first aid immediately until paramedics could arrive.
He was taken to Townsville University Hospital where he remains.
“Obviously the matter from yesterday is under investigation by Ethical Standards Command, I can’t comment further on it other than the condition of the man is serious but stable in Townsville University Hospital,” Acting Superintendent Crosby said.
He refused to be drawn on additional questions in relation to the incident, the fourth police-involved shooting in Townsville so far this year.
Speaking generally, Acting Superintendent Crosby said “any incident involving weapons is a priority for us and it just reinforces the dynamic challenges and the challenges that our police officers face every day”.
He said he could not comment on which offences the man was wanted for.
This is the second police shooting in Townsville within two weeks.
Last week, a knife-wielding man was shot in North Ward during a confrontation with police. The matter has been referred to the coroner.
Police shoot wanted man at NQ shopping centre
Two crime scenes have been established after Townsville police shot a wanted man at shopping centre.
Police were called to Carthew St, Thuringowa Central at 3.16pm on Sunday afternoon to reports of a wanted man.
Shortly after the police arrived on scene, an officer discharged a firearm.
Acting Superintendent Damien Crosby said the Townsville man, 31, was known to police and wanted for a number of serious criminal offences.
Acting Superintendent Crosby could not say if the man was armed when he was confronted by police in a loading dock at Willows Shopping Centre.
Police had cordoned off the area near the Big W loading dock on Sunday afternoon.
“This is a tragic incident, and we pass on our thoughts to all involved,” he said.
The wanted man was treated by police at the scene until Queensland Ambulance Service personnel arrived.
He was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a critical, but stable condition.
He remains in the Intensive Care Unit, undergoing treatment.
“This is a very fluid investigation,” Acting Superintendent Crosby said.
“All I can provide at this point in time is that the male was wanted by police, and known to police, and wanted for alleged serious criminal offences requiring specialist police attendance.
“There are two current crime scenes, including a portion of a shopping centre.
“This incident will be independently investigated by Ethical Standards Command.”
On Sunday evening, officers were guarding the two scenes of crime – which included the man’s vehicle – until ESC arrived from Brisbane.
Acting Superintendent Crosby said there was no threat to any members of the public during the incident.
“There is no ongoing threat, whatsoever, to community safety,” he said.
Acting Superintendent Crosby said this “serves as a clear reminder of the dangers that police face every day.”
He said there was a range of services available to officers involved in shootings.
“The circumstances will be reviewed as a use of force option, but I would reiterate that the preservation of human life is a primary focus of police when attending any incident,” Acting Superintendent Crosby said.
“Police recognise use of force can be a difficult topic but it is crucial to acknowledge the inherent dangers police face every day.”
Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said a number of critical incident support team members were assisting the officers involved in the incident.
“The circumstances will be revived by investigators from Ethical Standards and that is completely appropriate because I know no police officer wants to use their firearm unless they are protecting their own life or others who may be harmed,” he said.
“There will also be scrutiny into the actions of the (alleged) offender leading up to the confrontation.”
This is the second police shooting in Townsville in eight days, with an officer shooting a man armed with a knife in North Ward on Saturday last week.
Witnesses at the scene of the North Ward shooting said it appeared as though the man wanted to be shot by police.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information, dashcam footage, or may have seen anything in the area around Carthew Street to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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Originally published as Police shooting near Willows Shopping Centre, Thuringowa Central
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