A 53-year-old man is facing serious charges after an altercation with police in a Cairns suburb ended with officers discharging their firearms.
Police Respond to Disturbance on Anderson Street
The incident unfolded on the evening of Friday, May 17, on Anderson Street in Manoora. According to Queensland Police, officers were called to the location to respond to a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, they encountered a man who was allegedly armed with a weapon.
The situation escalated, leading to a police officer firing their service weapon. The 53-year-old local man sustained a gunshot wound to his arm as a result. Police and Queensland Ambulance Service personnel provided immediate first aid at the scene before the injured man was transported to Cairns Hospital for treatment. His injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.
Charges Laid Following Hospital Release
The man was discharged from hospital on Saturday, May 18. Upon his release, he was taken into police custody and formally charged. He now faces one count of serious assault of a police officer while armed.
The man was scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Saturday to answer to the charge. The Queensland Police Service has confirmed that the Ethical Standards Command is investigating the incident, as is standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings. This investigation will be overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Standard Protocols Followed After Shooting
A police spokesperson stated that the involvement of the Ethical Standards Command is a mandatory step to ensure transparency and accountability. No police officers sustained physical injuries during the confrontation. The investigation will examine the full sequence of events leading up to the discharge of the firearm.
This incident has drawn attention to the dangers police officers can face when responding to calls. It also highlights the established protocols within the Queensland Police Service for reviewing such serious encounters. The community in Manoora was alerted to a significant police presence during the Friday night operation.
The case will now proceed through the judicial system as the internal investigations continue their independent reviews.
