Quick Read
- A 19-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot twice by a police officer during a welfare check in Arana Hills.
- The incident occurred after police were called to a residence to assist with the man’s mental health treatment.
- Investigators are reviewing body-worn camera footage to determine the sequence of the Taser deployment and the subsequent use of lethal force.
ARANA HILLS (Azat TV) – A 19-year-old man is fighting for his life in a Brisbane hospital following a police welfare check that escalated into a critical shooting incident on Wednesday. The event, which occurred at a private residence on Akebia Street in Arana Hills, has prompted an immediate investigation by the Ethical Standards Command with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Escalation during mental health intervention
Police were called to the property at approximately 10:55 a.m. by the man’s mother, who requested assistance regarding her son’s mental health. Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham confirmed that three officers attended the scene and engaged in discussions with the man for an extended period in an attempt to encourage him to seek medical treatment.
According to police, the situation shifted when the man allegedly produced a large kitchen knife. During the ensuing confrontation, which took place on the lower level of the home, a first-year constable discharged his firearm twice, striking the man in the abdomen. Emergency responders provided immediate first aid before transporting him to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in critical condition.
Investigating the use of force
The sequence of events leading to the discharge of the weapon remains a central focus of the ongoing inquiry. Superintendent Massingham confirmed that a Taser was also deployed during the incident, though the exact timing and necessity of the device’s use in relation to the gunfire will be scrutinized by investigators. Body-worn camera footage from all three responding officers has been secured and is currently being reviewed.
The incident has highlighted the significant risks inherent in mental health-related welfare checks. Superintendent Massingham described the situation as highly traumatic for everyone involved, including the officers, noting that the constable who fired the shots is currently distressed. The man’s mother, who witnessed the altercation, is reported to be deeply traumatized.
The incident underscores the persistent tension between the duty of care in mental health interventions and the necessity of force in high-pressure environments, raising critical questions about standard operating procedures for first-year officers facing unpredictable, volatile encounters.