Father-of-five shot during Gold Coast cash heist had fake gun
The father-of-five who was shot and killed yesterday by a former colleague during an armed hold-up was carrying a fake gun.
Police have confirmed the 9mm pistol the 46-year-old robber was carrying was a replica.
Police said the guard was delivering cash to the Highland Park Tavern on Monday morning when he was tackled by the man, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet to hide his identity.
But it is understood that the dead man, a father-of-five, had recently been laid off from the same security company.
It says the bandit may have used inside knowledge of the company's operations to plan the robbery.
Officers say the guard appeared to have acted instinctively when he fired several shots.
The robber suffered a number of gunshot wounds and was dead by the time officers arrived.
Police have interviewed the guard, but no charges have been laid.
An autopsy will be carried out on the dead man on Tuesday and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
The security guard suffered minor facial injuries during the scuffle, and was left shaken by the tragic chain of events.
"It's certainly a very traumatic situation for anybody and he is quite traumatised from it," Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said yesterday.
It has been three years this month since the shooting murder of Gold Coast police officer Damien Leeding.
Leeding was killed after Phillip Abell and Donna McAvoy stormed the Pacific Pines Tavern ordering terrified patrons and staff to obey their orders.
