Union backs police after teen shot in Townsville beer garden
Police have launched an investigation after officers shot a 17-year-old girl in a hotel beer garden in north Queensland.
Police were called to the West End Hotel in Townsville about 5:30pm yesterday after reports a female armed with a knife was making threats.
Police allege the teenager threatened officers and they shot her in the abdomen.
The girl had surgery overnight and was in a stable condition in Townsville University Hospital this morning.
Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said he had full confidence in the officers involved.
"This was a confronting and life-threatening situation for police," he said.
Mr Prior said an officer fired to protect their colleague's life.
"They thought that that person was in mortal danger … and fired a single shot at the offender," he said.
"I am completely convinced from what I know that the actions of police were justified. In fact, they showed significant bravery and compassion.
"I am confident that the action police took prevented patrons at the hotel from being harmed or possibly murdered."
Mr Prior said the officers had not been stood down.
Police have confirmed the Ethical Standards Command is investigating the incident with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he felt "a huge degree of remorse for everyone involved".
"I think it's important that that investigation is enabled to do its job and we should allow that to run its course," he said.
"These things are never easy things for anyone involved."
It is the second time police have shot a person in the city this year.
Police shot a 23-year-old man who was reportedly suffering a mental health episode on January 28.
Mr Prior said he was concerned there was not enough support available for people suffering mental health issues.
"I would suggest Townsville has an issue when it comes to mental health and the level of care and perhaps substance abuse," he said.
"I just hope investigators look at that. This has been a long standing issue in Townsville."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Linda Reynolds targets former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in Higgins lawsuit
Linda Reynolds has turned her attention to former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in her bid to sue the Commonwealth over its compensation payment to Brittany Higgins, as the nation's anti-corruption agency revealed there was 'no corruption issue' in the payment. The retiring former Liberal minister in May launched action in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth, with the crux of the claim over the $2.4m compensation payment to Brittany Higgins in 2022. Senator Reynolds argued the payment was 'publicly affirming' of Ms Higgins allegations against her that she didn't support her former staffer when she alleged she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann. The Federal Court has found Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities. A criminal trial was aborted due juror misconduct and a charge against him was dropped. Mr Lehrmann has always denied the allegation and is appealing the Federal Court's finding. An amended version of Ms Reynolds statement of claim was filed on Wednesday, just a day before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said there was 'no corruption issue' in the $2.4m payment. The NACC on Thursday announced there was 'no evidence that the settlement process, including the legal advice provided, who was present at the mediation, or the amount was subject to any improper influence by any Commonwealth public official'. Senator Reynolds' amended statement of claim was made public late on Thursday afternoon. Among the changes is a reference to a speech by Mr Dreyfus the then Attorney-General made to parliament on March 15, 2021. Mr Dreyfus is not a party to the claim. Mr Dreyfus recounted to the House of Representatives a speech by Ms Higgins just outside Parliament House, where she told a large crowd she was raped inside the building by a colleague, and how her story was 'a painful reminder to women that it can happen in Parliament House and can truly happen anywhere'. 'If a woman cannot feel safe from rape in Parliament House, a veritable fortress ringed with security cameras, with entrances protected by armed guards and with Federal Police officers on duty inside, where can women feel safe?' Mr Dreyfus told the House of Representatives, according to a transcript excerpt in the claim. 'How strong is the rule of law if it isn't able to protect a young woman working in the ministerial wing of Parliament House?' The amended statement of claim argued Senator Reynolds had suffered loss and damage as a result of Mr Dreyfus' conduct, including denying her the opportunity to rebut Ms Higgins' allegation 'in the appropriate forum'. It also argues Mr Dreyfus 'enabled and encouraged the falsity of Ms Higgins' claim to be maintained by Ms Higgins'. HWL Ebsworth, which acted on the Commonwealth's behalf, is also being sued by Senator Reynolds for negligence. Lawyers on behalf of Senator Reynolds argued HWLE breached its fiduciary duty to her by excluding her from the mediation conference where the $2.4m settlement was reached, and failing to conduct independent investigations to establish if there was 'at least a meaningful prospect of liability' by Ms Higgins. However, similar alleged breaches initially put forth against the Commonwealth were withdrawn in the amended document, with it now largely focusing on allegations of Mr Dreyfus' misfeasance of public office and alleged breaches of HWLE. Mr Dreyfus has been contacted for comment. He earlier welcomed NACC's statement. 'The NACC has conclusively found there was no improper interference by any Commonwealth official at any stage,' Mr Dreyfus said. 'I regret the baseless allegation of corruption has been so widely publicised ahead of this finding and hope future matters can be resolved in a more timely manner. 'I also regret any further distress caused to Ms Higgins as a result of this matter.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Sexual assault trial of NSW MP Gareth Ward told of 'emotional' discussion with staffer
A man who has accused New South Wales MP Gareth Ward of sexually assaulting him told a parliamentary staffer years after the alleged rape that the politician had "done something" to him, a court has heard. During the third week of the trial a witness who cannot be identified for legal reasons told the NSW District Court he visited the alleged victim two years after the alleged incident. He told the court the man was "very emotional, very distraught" during their discussion. The court heard the complainant, who was 24 when the alleged sexual assault occurred in Mr Ward's Potts Point apartment in 2015, told the witness that the MP "had done something" to him. It was not specified exactly what that was. The court has previously heard allegations that the complainant was digitally penetrated by Mr Ward without his consent after they attended an event at state parliament. Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent. He has also denied four other charges, including indecent assault, involving a second complainant who was 18 in 2013. Under questioning from the prosecution the witness said the complainant told him he did not like being in the proximity of Mr Ward. "This is why he avoided coming to parliament," the witness said. "I can remember he looked like he had been crying — he looked visibly upset and then when we started talking he got more upset." The witness said he was surprised with himself that he did not take action after hearing the complainant's allegations. "I don't know why — it's like I just blocked it out of my mind," he told the court. The witness said when he was asked to give a statement to police after news of the allegations emerged his memory of the events of that day started to come back. The trial continues.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Police footage of man charged over firearms incident
Police have charged a 31-year-old man over an alleged burglary and firearms incident near Ghooli in WA's Wheatbelt.
