Police Officer Fires Nine Shots to Save Strangled Sister
The Coroner’s Court of Victoria heard that the siblings’ mother called Triple-0 at 5:32pm, reporting that her son, who lived with schizophrenia, was attacking her daughter.
The mother alerted authorities that her son had a sword under his bed and had not been taking his medication recently.
Scene of Horror
Two officers, a leading senior constable and a senior constable, arrived at the scene to find the mother shaken and unsure if her daughter was still alive.
They entered the bedroom to find the 48-year-old victim lying on the bed with a significant arm injury, her limb twisted behind her back.
The brother, Justin James Filardo, was leaning over her with his hands around her neck and possibly her mouth, with blood visible on his clothing and the carpet.
Both officers discharged their Tasers twice with no effect, and Filardo’s hands remained around his sister’s neck.
The senior constable then drew his firearm, pointing it at Filardo and saying “let it go” several times.
After firing seven shots, Justin continued to hold onto his sister’s neck.
Fatal Shots
It wasn’t until the eighth and ninth shots that Filardo finally let go, falling onto the bed.
The senior constable then rendered aid to the victim, who was conscious and able to give police her name.
Paramedics arrived soon after, airlifting her to hospital.
Justin was declared dead at the scene.
Coroner David Ryan viewed the officers’ body-worn camera footage, describing the scene as extremely challenging and distressing for responding police and family members.
An inquest is expected to be held at a later date.