Emotional warning from father of ice-affected son shot dead by police

The father of a man shot dead by police after taking a deli worker hostage has issued a powerful warning for people to stay away from the drug ice.

John Lindsay watched his son take his final breaths, and wants his death to save others at risk of the same fate.

Brendan Lindsay died on the street outside the Lunch Club in the Perth suburb of Carlisle almost four years ago.

He was shot up to 11 times by police after he took deli worker Sheila Tran hostage with a large knife.

“He was suffering from the effects of taking ice, and mixed with his mental health issues this provided the disastrous, explosive cocktail which eventually led to his demise,” John Lindsay said.

On Thursday the state coroner found the actions of the four officers who opened fire were justified.

John Lindsay says his son had a history of drug abuse but was trying to break the habit.

“It’s a drug that will eventually wreck your brain,” he said.

“Children, don’t mess with this – leave it alone.”

Brendan Lindsay’s partner of 20 years also took the stand on Thursday, describing him as smart and funny, a loving and doting Dad to their daughter, but a man who suffered from anxiety who would self-medicate with ice.

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But Amy Bastion said he “wasn’t a drug addict as such, 75 per cent of the time he was drug free,” adding he would have felt “regret and remorse for the terror he caused.”

“To those who are already tangled in the mess of this drug we must endeavour to provide the necessary care and support to turn their lives back in the right direction before it’s too late,” Brendan’s emotional father added.