Charges laid after homeless man found stabbed in Toowoomba CBD

Detectives have charged three teenagers after a man was found with a knife in his chest in the centre of Toowoomba, and just metres from the city’s major police station.

Detectives have charged a 14-year-old Kingsthorpe boy, and two Oakey men aged 18 and 19, over a stabbing that occured in the heart of the Toowoomba CBD.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Margaret and Neil Streets about 7.20pm Thursday after reports a man sustained a stab wound.

Police will allege just after 7pm, the 18-year-old man became involved in a verbal argument with three males on Chronicle Lane.

It is further alleged that at least one of the males and the 18-year-old were known to each other.

The argument escalated into a physical altercation, with one of the males allegedly producing a knife and stabbing the 18-year-old man in the chest, before leaving the scene.

It is understood that a number of people fled on foot towards Grand Central and that teh 18-year-old man was homeless.

Police investigate the scene where a man was found stabbed on February 16, 2023. Photo: Will Hunter

Paramedics stabilised the man at the scene and it is understood he was transported to the Toowoomba Hospital in a serious condition.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police reviewed CCTV footage as they pieced together the moments that led to the grisly discovery.

Investigations led Toowoomba detectives to locate a 14-year-old Kingsthorpe boy, and 18-year-old Oakey man and an 19-year-old Oakey man, taking them into custody overnight.

The 19-year-old man has been charged with wounding and attempted robbery.

The 18-year-old was charged with wounding and possession of a knife in a public place.

Both were denied bail and are expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday.

The 14-year-old Kingsthorpe boy has been charged with wounding and possession of a knife in a public place.

He was denied bail and will appear in Toowoomba Childrens Court.

Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed in the chest in the middle of the Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Will Hunter

The stabbing comes as Toowoomba is gripped by a crime wave, and just two days after a 16-year-old girl was shot at close range in a room at the Oaks Hotel.

The teen suffered a critical shoulder injury and was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital where was placed in an induced coma as surgeons worked to save her arm.

There is no suggestion that the two incidents are connected.

On Wednesday night Police Minister Mark Ryan, Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll held a town hall meeting in Toowoomba to discuss the escalation of youth crime in Darling Downs and Queensland.

That meeting was held at the Empire Theatres complex, just a short walk from both Tuesday’s shooting and Thursday night’s stabbing.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Policelink on 131 444.

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