Man in Critical Condition After Police Shooting at Townsville Shopping Centre

A man allegedly wanted for serious crimes has been taken to the hospital in a life-threatening condition after being shot by police in a shopping centre loading dock in north Queensland. It is the second police-involved shooting in the region in a little over a week.

Officers were called to Carthew Street in Townsville at around 3.15pm on Sunday following reports that the 31-year-old man had been sighted. Police say the Townsville man was shot at Willows Shopping Centre before being taken by paramedics to Townsville University Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Townsville District Acting Superintendent Damien Crosby said there was no threat to the community. \"The male was wanted for alleged serious criminal offences requiring specialist police attendance,\" he said. \"This is a tragic incident and we pass on our thoughts to all those involved. Police officers immediately rendered first-aid … before paramedics arrived.\"

Police said there were two current crime scenes, including the loading dock where the shooting took place and another location where the man's vehicle was parked. \"The male person was well known to police; he confronted police in the loading dock, shots were fired, and the male person was injured,\" Acting Superintendent Crosby said. \"The matter is being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command.\"

Police said they could not comment as to whether the man was armed or provide any further details while the Ethical Standards Command investigation was underway. Investigators are appealing for anyone with information, dashcam footage, or who may have seen anything in the area around Carthew Street to contact police.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.