The parents of a 24-year-old Mandurah man who was fatally shot by police in a tourist area of Queensland have spoken out, demanding an explanation for their son’s passing.
Around 12 a.m. on Saturday, two Airlie Beach police officers were patrolling the entertainment district when they encountered Luke Gilbert, who they claim was armed with a knife, and shot him dead.
Police allegedly overstepped their bounds when they opened fire up to five times, according to parents Nicola and Darren Gilbert.
“He should have not pulled out that knife, we’re not disputing that, but should he be shot and killed because of it,” Mr Gilbert told Nine News.
The knife Mr. Gilbert was carrying, according to Queensland Police, had a four- to five-centimeter blade, and he refused to put the weapon down when asked to do so by officers.
The son of Mr. Gilbert was shot four to five times, and after being taken to the hospital, he passed away from his wounds.
He was on Airlie Beach with his partner for a night out after working in Townsville.
Ms Gilbert said the pain their family felt was “beyond words”.
“They shot him three times in the chest when he only had a four-centimetre knife,” she said.
“Two police officers came in and they just stood, didn’t ask to sit down, stood at the kitchen bench and just said we’re very sorry to tell you but your son has died.
“We lost our boy, the pain is beyond words.”
Luke reportedly has no history of drug usage or mental health difficulties.
On behalf of the state coroner, the Queensland Police’s ethical standards command is looking into the event and will look into why a taser was not deployed.
According to the Queensland Police Union, after being repeatedly instructed to put down the knife, Mr. Gilbert allegedly “lunged” at the officers, forcing them to open fire.
In a social media post, his brother Zac claimed that the tragedy had shattered their family.
“There’s a lot of speculation in the media about the circumstances surrounding the loss of my brother but just know the truth is excess force was used on him which killed him and that can never be undone, they didn’t try the taser, the baton or the pepper spray first, they went straight for the guns carelessly,” he said.
Tropic Kebabs owner Mustafa Secgin was working in his store opposite where the shooting unfolded and said he heard gunfire nearby.
“Just boom boom, boom,” he told the Courier Mail.
“I am very upset … very sad,” he said, adding he had never seen anything like it before.