Man shot by cops after dramatic chase
A man has been shot by police after he allegedly threatened a woman and stole a police car in Far North Queensland.
Police were called to a Bungalow home in Cairns following reports of “a woman in distress” about 5.30am on Wednesday.
Far North Region regional crime co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Mick Searle said while at the home, a 21-year-old man “threatened police with a number of weapons”.
“That person has stolen a marked police vehicle, which was then pursued,” he said.
The man then drove to Woree, another suburb of Cairns.
He was arrested after crashing the car outside an IGA on the corner of Torino and Sondrio streets, Woree, about 8am.
Superintendent Searle said before the arrest police shot the man after “further engagement”.
It’s understood the man had doused himself in petrol, preventing police from tasering him.
Superintendent Searle said those reports were under investigation.
“If we are of the belief that someone has doused themselves in petrol, we will not deploy a Taser,” he said.
The man was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
It’s understood he’s conscious and receiving medical treatment.
Superintendent Searle said the officer and all those involved would receive any assistance they needed following the event.
“This is the last thing this police officer thought he was going to have to do today when he arrived for work and it’s the last thing any police officer wants to do as part of their duties,” he said.
“It would be distressing for him, as it would be for any compassionate good-natured person who comes to work with the sole purpose of trying to keep people safe and help people.”
Investigations are continuing.
