Tasmania Police Shooting: Unarmed Man Shot Twice in Chest After Alleged Threat
A 34-year-old man has been shot twice in the chest by police in Tasmania after he allegedly threatened to shoot officers, but an initial investigation has revealed he did not have a firearm. The incident occurred in the Hobart suburb of Goodwood early on Sunday morning, sparking a professional standards inquiry.
Early Morning Confrontation Escalates Rapidly
Officers were initially called to a residence in Goodwood at approximately 4:30 am on Sunday. The homeowners had contacted police, believing there was a trespasser at the property. The man involved was alone at the house and is a relative of the owners.
The situation escalated dramatically just before 6 am when the man allegedly threatened to use a firearm during a confrontation outside the home. Tasmania Police Southern District Commander Jason Elmer stated that around ten officers attended the scene, where pepper spray was first deployed in an attempt to subdue the individual.
Police Discharge Firearms Believing Man Was Armed
Two officers then fired their weapons, wounding the man in the chest. Commander Elmer explained the officers' perspective during a press briefing, noting, "This was a very dynamic situation... at the time they discharged their firearms they were firmly of the belief that he was in the possession of a firearm."
The man allegedly refused to put his hands in the air and threatened to shoot officers with a weapon. However, post-shooting investigations have determined that the man was unarmed. "Post-shooting of him it's been ascertained the male was not in possession of a firearm," Elmer confirmed.
Man in Serious but Stable Condition After Hospital Transfer
The injured man received first aid at the scene before being transferred to a hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Commander Elmer acknowledged the traumatic impact on the officers involved, stating, "This is a traumatic event... they have had to take action this morning that will no doubt imprint upon them for the rest of their lives."
A professional standards investigation is now underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the use of force and the initial threat assessment.
Recent Police-Involved Shootings Across Australia
This incident adds to a series of police-involved shootings in Australia this year, highlighting the challenges officers face in high-pressure situations. Key cases include:
- April 1 - Arana Hills: A 19-year-old was critically injured with two gunshot wounds after Queensland Police responded to a welfare check.
- March 30 - Thologolong: Victoria Police fatally shot cop-killer Dezi Freeman, who had approached officers with a gun hidden by a blanket.
- March 3 - Tingalpa: A man wielding a knife was shot by Queensland Police after making continued threats during a welfare check response.
- March 3 - Newcastle: A 36-year-old man confronted officers with a knife during an arrest attempt and was shot after Taser attempts and negotiations failed.
- March 3 - Potts Point: An armed man who assaulted two women with a knife was fatally shot after threatening police with the weapon.
- February 6 - Tuncurry: A 41-year-old man armed with a chainsaw and knife was fatally shot after stabbing a woman and fleeing in a stolen vehicle.
- January 29 - Geelong: A 37-year-old man was shot in the arm after allegedly crashing a stolen car into a school bus and attempting to flee.
- January 16 - Gunnedah: A man armed with a bow and arrow was shot and died at the scene after aiming the weapon at police during a welfare check.
- January 7 - Springfield: A man armed with sharp weapons was shot multiple times and died after attempting to burn and stab officers during a stand-off.
These incidents underscore the volatile nature of police operations and the split-second decisions officers must make when faced with perceived threats. The Tasmania case is particularly notable due to the discrepancy between the alleged threat and the subsequent finding that no firearm was present.
