Teen Shot by Police During Welfare Check After Allegedly Pulling Out Knife

A teenager is undergoing emergency surgery after being shot twice by police during an incident in Brisbane’s north-west.

Police said the 19-year-old’s mother contacted Triple Zero around 11am (AEST) requesting mental health assistance for her son at their home on Akebia Street in Arana Hills.

Three police officers, along with paramedics, arrived at the residence approximately 90 minutes later.

Inside the home, two of the officers allegedly tried to encourage the man to accept mental health support before he produced a large kitchen knife.

One of the male officers, a first-year constable, fired two shots, which struck the 19-year-old in the abdomen, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham told media this afternoon.

His mother witnessed the shooting.

“Mum is distressed, she is traumatised,” Massingham said.

“The situation here is one that we encounter where we attempt to get help for somebody and unfortunately, that help doesn’t always go as planned and situations like this arise where unfortunately this sort of action needs to be taken.

“It’s a lethal use of force option that is our last option.”

Officers and paramedics immediately provided first aid at the scene.

The man was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition to undergo emergency surgery.

Massingham said a Taser was also discharged at some point, but it is unclear whether that occurred before the gun was fired.

“The timing of that in terms of when the shots were fired will be subject to the ongoing investigation,” Massingham said.

The police officer who fired the shots was “distraught”, Massingham said.

“We don’t come to work everyday expecting this and when the reality hits that something like this has occurred, it is tramuatic for all involved and that young man is feeling that right way.

Body-worn cameras were operating at the time and will be reviewed.

The officers involved are yet to interviewed.

“We are currently in the process of doorknocking, obtaining witness statements of people that may have tragically heard or witnessed the subsequent events after this man was shot,” Massingham said.

The matter will be investigated by the Ethical Standards Command with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission, as is standard practice.