Woman caught in crossfire as police shoot armed man during stand-off

A bystander to a tense police stand-off has been shot after officers discharged multiple rounds at a 28-year-old man carrying knives. Both a 50-year-old woman and the armed man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries following the incident in the Cairns suburb of Mount Sheridan. Both remained in hospital on Sunday.

Assistant Commissioner Graeme Paine said the “very dynamic” situation had escalated quickly. About 5pm on Saturday, multiple residents near Benjamina Street called Triple Zero to report a man in the street armed with knives. Paine said the 28-year-old had broken into two residences.

“The man was confronted by occupants during those break-ins, and it’s alleged that he has stolen two large knives before moving out onto the street,” Paine said. The assistant commissioner said the man was reported to have had blood on him. Polair, the dog squad, and general and tactical officers were sent to the scene.

Officers found the man armed with knives about 5.30pm at a nearby roundabout connecting Hardy Road, Foster Road and Lizard Street. Paine said the roundabout was a “busy residential and traffic area”, and officers first yelled out to the man to drop the weapons, before trying to use their vehicles to block his exits.

“The male person was still mobile and still in possession of the knives,” Paine said. Three officers fired at the man, he said. A 50-year-old woman standing by the front door of her nearby property was struck by a stray bullet in the lower leg.

Paine said the 28-year-old man was shot in the elbow and upper leg, suffering “serious but non-life-threatening injuries”. No police officers were injured during the incident. The assistant commissioner would not be drawn on whether the 28-year-old had been moving towards the three officers when they opened fire, but he said he was satisfied they had responded appropriately.

“The officers were confronted with a very challenging situation – a dynamic situation with a significant threat level,” Paine said. He said the incident would be “holistically” investigated by the Ethical Standards Command. “There will be significant investigative strategies implemented, and that will incorporate everything from the versions of the officers, witness statements [and] CCTV.”

The Queensland Police Union issued a statement on Saturday night confirming it was providing on-the-ground support for the three officers. Investigations into the alleged break-ins on Benjamina Street were also continuing on Sunday. Police declared crime scenes at the two homes on Saturday, with forensic specialists examining the properties on Sunday morning.

Paine said he could not detail anything else that might have been taken from the homes, and urged anyone who had dashcam or CCTV footage, or who might have heard anything, to come forward. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

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