A man armed with a machete and a knife was shot dead by police in a busy coastal area of northeast Queensland on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 9:50 am on McKinley Street near The Strand in Townsville’s North Ward, following reports of a man carrying weapons.
Police Faced with No Choice but to Open Fire
When police officers arrived at the scene, the man advanced towards them while armed, leaving them with no choice but to open fire.
Paramedics treated the man at the scene for critical injuries to his chest, abdomen, and legs, but unfortunately, he could not be saved.
Investigation Underway
The matter is currently under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command, with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
According to Superintendent Chris Lawson, a number of officers were involved in the shooting, and they are all receiving support from peer officers.
No Ongoing Threat to the Community
Lawson confirmed that both the machete and knife have been seized, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The police are now urging anyone who had any interaction with the man before the incident to come forward.
Rise in Knife-Related Crime a Growing Concern
Superintendent Lawson expressed concern over the rise in knife-related crime, stating that it is a very concerning issue for community safety.
He emphasized that the police are taking an active role in ensuring that knife crime does not continue to form an issue for community safety.