A 24-year-old man has been shot dead by police in the Airlie Beach party strip after he allegedly approached officers with a knife in the early hours of Saturday.
Superintendent Graeme Paine said the man drew a knife, with a four-to-five centimetre blade, in front of the officers who were patrolling the area about 12.15am.
"That male has produced a knife and advanced towards the officers," he said.
"As a result, the officers have drawn their firearms and provided some verbal directions to the male to drop the knife.
"That male has continued to advance towards the officers.
"The officers have discharged a firearm, and unfortunately the male has sustained fatal injuries."
Superintendent Paine said four or five shots were fired at the man, who worked in Townsville.
Paramedics said one round hit the man's upper body and he died at the scene.
Another of the bullets punctured a window of a nearby car.
The strip is a Safe Night Precinct and is also the main street of the tourist town.
It is expected to be shut for most of the day so police can collect forensic evidence.
Superintendent Paine said they do not know at this stage if the man had been visiting bars, however, he said there were multiple witnesses and CCTV to piece together what happened before the shooting.
"The officers are well trained to identify and respond to different types of threats," he said.
"I do want to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife at any time in a public place.
"It's an offence under certain circumstances but to carry a knife in a safe night precinct, which is a dynamic place where there are people consuming alcohol and whatnot — It really does pose a significant threat to the public, including the police that are in there trying to maintain the safety of everyone.
"That's a really significant factor for us, the fact that someone has had a knife in such a dynamic area."
Superintendent Paine said the man was originally from Western Australia and his family had been notified.
"It's a tragic circumstance for the family of the young man, also for the officers involved, so we're providing support," he said.
Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers said one of the officers had 13 years of experience behind him, while the other had three years of experience.
"I've spoken with both police in the early hours of this morning," he said.
"They're physically fine, but mentally this will have a severe impact upon them and that's where we have to be very cautious."
Mr Leavers said police were unable to taser him and instead used their guns.
"When you're in a certain proximity, a firearm is the only option," he said.
He did not know whether both officers had opened fire.
The Ethical Standards Command is investigating the shooting, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.
A crime scene has been set up.
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2022-09-30 21:40:05Z
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