Young man fatally shot by police in Queensland identified as Mandurah local

Monday, 3 October 2022 08:55

By Monique Welhan

Luke Gilbert was shot dead by Queensland Police after allegedly lunging at them with a knife. PIC: Facebook

A 24-year-old man who was shot dead by police in Queensland has been identified as Mandurah local Luke Gilbert.

Mr Gilbert was allegedly armed with a knife when he "lunged" at police officers in Airlie Beach in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Queensland Police Union claim the officers had repeatedly asked Mr Gilbert to drop the weapon and were left with no choice but to shoot him.

“The police have tried to further engage and they have retreated and moved from that location, and tried and continue to communicate with that male person," Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers said.

“(He) has then, at a point, has lunged at police and they’ve had no other alternative but to use their firearm.

“Police did all they could to try and resolve this matter peacefully.

"Had a taser been an option, it would've been used, but I'm advised on this occasion it was simply not possible."

Mr Gilbert's brother, Zac Gilbert, has since taken to social media claiming police used excessive force.

"...my brother was on a night out with his girlfriend and as far as we know Luke walked up to two police officers, they were talking and then for reasons unknown right now, Luke pulled out a pen knife (4cm) and in reaction to that the officers shot 4 to 5 times at my brother and 1 of them being fatal," Mr Gilbert's Facebook post read.

“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."

An investigation is underway.