A man fatally shot by police following a domestic violence incident has been identified as a former military officer. Jordan Thomas Kirk, 48, was shot by two Queensland Police officers in the early hours of Sunday at a residence on Cavill Way in Narangba, located in southeast Queensland's Moreton Bay region.
Police had responded to a domestic violence call from inside the home and were warned that Mr Kirk was armed, according to the Courier Mail. Responding officers reported that Mr Kirk emerged from the home around 12:30 am dressed in camouflage clothing and a tactical vest. He was carrying a firearm and allegedly threatened officers with a long-arm rifle, prompting police to open fire.
Officers immediately administered first aid, but Mr Kirk died at the scene. The former military serviceman had a history of encounters with police, including incidents related to mental health and domestic violence. He had previously been subject to Emergency Examination Authorities, which allow emergency services to involuntarily detain individuals deemed dangerous.
Moreton District Acting Chief Superintendent Kerry Johnson stated that the situation escalated rapidly on Sunday morning. 'He advanced towards police, they did verbal commands, and then did a tactical withdrawal from the situation,' he said. 'There is nothing at this stage that causes me concerns about our police actions, and we absolutely support our members and we train them, we supply them, we resource them and do all we can, but unfortunately these things happen.'
Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior highlighted Mr Kirk's long history of mental health issues and suggested the shooting should be considered 'suicide by cop'. 'From what we know so far, mental health seemed to be at play here and will form part of the investigation,' Mr Prior said. 'It would seem on the facts known that suicide by cop is a very real thing that needs to be investigated here.'
The two officers involved are understood to include a policeman with six years of experience and a policewoman in her second year. Mr Prior noted that both officers were shaken by the incident. Mr Kirk was a member of the United Service Club of Queensland and lived at the Narangba house with his wife.
The matter is being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission, and has been referred to the state coroner.
