Young man shot multiple times by police in Vincent in Townsville

A first-year constable fired three shots, hitting a 23-year-old man in the chest after he allegedly lunged at police with a knife as they ushered an elderly woman to safety in Townsville.

The house on Lillipilli St Vincent, where man was shot by police on January 28. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A first-year constable fired three shots, hitting a 23-year-old man in the chest after he allegedly lunged at police with a knife as they ushered an elderly woman to safety in Townsville.

Officers were called to a home on Lillipilli St, Vincent, around 4.30pm on Tuesday following reports of a 23-year-old man making threats with a large knife during a mental health incident.

Queensland Police Union boss Shane Prior said officers had successfully negotiated the release of an elderly woman from inside the home. But as they guided her down the stairs, the situation suddenly took a dangerous turn.

“It will be alleged that the male person lunged towards police and the resident, whom police were acting as shields for essentially, in ushering that person down the stairs,” he said.

“Police had no option but to use a firearm. In this instance, they had fear for both their lives and also the life of a family member involved.”

The house on Lillipilli St Vincent, where man was shot by police on January 28. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A male first-year constable fired off three shots, with one bullet making impact with the 23-year-old man’s chest.

Police immediately applied tactical first aid at the scene before rushing him to Townsville University Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Ethical Standards Command arrived in Townsville on Wednesday to interview the officers involved, including the first-year constable, who is said to be still “shaken up.”

He had been on scene with his partner, a female officer with four years of service, and their supervisor, a 20-year veteran.

The union confirmed the supervisor had his taser drawn during the incident but was unable to fire due to not having a clear line of sight on the man.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior. Photo: Steve Pohlner

“We obviously need more investment in mental health services,” Mr Prior said.

“Police do not want to use their firearm in the execution of duty … The right place for that male person yesterday was in front of a medical professional to help them through that mental health crisis he was experiencing. Not being shot by police.”

Townsville District Officer Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said police had to make a threat assessment based on the situation and respond.

A man aged in his 20s was shot multiple times in Lillipilli St, Vincent about 4.30pm January 28, 2025. Picture: Leighton Smith

He said while police carry multiple items that they could use in response, including pepper spray and a taser, officers need to consider who is at the scene and the location in order to make the right call.

“What happens in those situations is often dictated by where they occur, how much room, what the situation is,” he said.

Townsville District Officer Chief Superintendent Mr Graeme Paine speaks at a press conference on January 13. Picture: Nikita McGuire

“Our officers, regardless of their length of service, undertake extensive training to deal with those situations; they’re well equipped and obviously, what’s occurred will form part of our review now.”

Superintendent Paine said the two officers involved were constables and were receiving support from the police service.

The house on Lillipilli St Vincent, where man was shot by police on January 28. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“In these situations, they’re extraordinarily confronting, not just for the families or the people involved, but for the police,” he said.

“It’s a situation that the officers train for; when it occurs, it is very confronting, so from our point of view, we really support not just the family of the person involved, but we really try to provide a broad platform of support for our officers.

“We’ve obviously got an investigative process to go though, and their welfare is incredibly important.”

Superintendent Paine said police were working with the family as part of the investigation.

No charges have been laid at this stage.

‘Pop, pop, pop’: Man fighting for life after being shot by police

A 23-year-old man remains in hospital on Wednesday morning, after being shot by police during an incident in Townsville.

Investigations are continuing after the man was shot multiple times in Lillipilli St, Vincent on Tuesday afternoon.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said officers were called to a residence just before 4.30pm following reports of an armed man making threats.

Upon arrival, the man allegedly armed with a knife was located in the house before he confronted police while making threats.

The man aged in his 20s was shot multiple times in Lillipilli St, Vincent. Picture: Leighton Smith

“A man has been shot by police and is being treated by paramedics,” a spokesman said.

Police advised the man suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition.

No police officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

Residents in the area reported hearing “three loud bangs” multiple streets away.

A neighbour described the moment the incident unfolded in the ordinarily quiet Vincent street.

“I heard some yelling and screaming between a male and female and that went on maybe for about 45 seconds to a minute … then it was a big ‘pop, pop, pop’ — three shots fired,” he said.

“Then half a dozen police cars and then the ambulance turned up within a minute so there must have been a standoff or something to have so many people there.”

Acting Superintendent Townsville District Paul James told reporters at the scene that police were called to the home by “concerned family members” who told them that a member of the family was having a mental health episode and was armed with “a large knife”.

“As a result, police have attended. They’ve been confronted with that person, and unfortunately had to use their firearms and discharge a number of shots which struck the person, who is now in the hospital at Townsville in theatre,” Act Supt James said.

The man aged in his 20s was shot multiple times in Lillipilli St, Vincent. Picture: Leighton Smith

He said the 23-year-old man was shot by police three times, with a shot to the chest being treated as serious, with medical assistance given immediately.

Supt James said the incident was reported to the Queensland Police Ethical Standards Command who have been briefed, with a team flying to Townsville Tuesday night.

An active crime scene remained in place at the home and surrounding street overnight.

“The whole incident was recorded on body-worn cameras by the officers,” Act Supt James said.

He reiterated there was no ongoing threat to community safety. 

Originally published as Young man shot multiple times by police in Vincent in Townsville