Cops cleared over fatal shooting of armed murderer Raghe Abdi

Two police officers who shot and killed an armed man after he fatally stabbed an elderly couple have been cleared, as questions remain over the motives of the young murderer who was being monitored by counter-terrorism.

Police at the Parkinson home of Zoe and Maurice Antill after their bodies were discovered. Picture: Tara Croser.

Two police officers who shot and killed an armed man after he had fatally stabbed an elderly couple in their Brisbane home have been cleared however the motivations of the young murderer, who was being monitored by counter-terrorism and yelled “Allahu akbar” as he advanced on the cops with a knife, remain undetermined by a coroner.

Married couple Maurice and Zoe Antill, 87 and 86 respectively, were found dead in their Parkinson home on December 17 2020.

The Antills had each been stabbed multiple times in the neck and torso with a knife that appeared to have come from a set in their kitchen, Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher said in her inquest finding published online this week.

Their killer Raghe Abdi, who was being monitored by the Queensland Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, was discovered later that day wandering down the Logan Motorway near the Gateway interchange.

Raghe Abdi.

As he was approached by two police officers, who were unaware of his slaughter of the Antills, the 22 year old took a knife out of his pocket and yelled “Allahu Akbar”, Ms Gallagher said.

Raghe, who was on bail for various minor Commonwealth offences relating to an investigation into whether he was preparing to be involved in a foreign incursion, had removed his GPS ankle bracelet the day before.

“The QPS officers drew their handguns and called on Raghe to drop the knife. Raghe advanced towards the QPS officers, repeatedly shouting “Allahu Akbar”,” Ms Gallagher concluded.

“ The QPS officers backed away, but when Raghe suddenly charged towards a Constable shouting “Takbir”, both QPS officers fired shots at Raghe resulting in his death from gunshot wounds.”

Television footage of the scene where Raghe Abdi was shot by police on the Logan Motorway in Brisbane. Picture: Nine Network

Ms Gallagher said she was satisfied that these QPS officers acted appropriately in responding to the threat posed by Raghe at that time, and that “their use of lethal force was appropriate in the circumstances”.

Raghe’s motivation for the killings of the Antills, who he did not know, was the subject of controversy at the inquest.

Det. A/Chief Supt. Roger Lowe gave evidence that, in his view, a holistic assessment of Raghe’s actions supported a conclusion that his killing of the Antills was a terrorist act.

However two experts told the inquest that because Raghe did not make any overt ‘statement’ about the killings or ‘broadcast’ any particular ideological view prior to or after the killings, then his motivation cannot be proven to have been ideological.

“ Both experts agree that Raghe’s motivation may have been ideological but say that he did nothing to ensure that his intent was known to others,” Ms Gallagher said.

“It is not necessary for me to make a finding in respect of this question.

“ Ultimately and tragically, no one will ever know Raghe’s true motivation, and there can be no firm answers for the Antills or for Raghe’s family in respect of this issue.”

Originally published as Cops cleared over fatal shooting of armed murderer Raghe Abdi