A man has been shot by officers after allegedly stealing a marked police car and driving it through Cairns.
The incident began when police were called to help a distressed woman at a home at West Court in Woree about 5.30am.
Detective Superintendent Mick Searle said officers were approached by a 21-year-old who threatened police with numerous weapons.
“It will then be alleged that that male person has stolen a marked police vehicle, which was then pursued to an address here in Sondrio Street at Woree,” Searle said.
Searle said police intercepted the car and engaged with the man before he was shot by an officer.
“He is alive and conscious at this stage,” Searle said.
It’s believed the man doused himself in petrol before he was shot.
“If we are of the belief that someone has doused themselves in petrol, we will not deploy a taser.”
He is currently at Cairns Base Hospital where he is being assessed.
Searle could not confirm how many times he was shot or how he drove off with a police car.
“I haven’t spoken to the officer personally but yes, from my experience in these incidents, it is very distressing for the officer who fires the shot and also for those surrounding that that are witnesses to it,” Searle said.
“It’s a traumatic incident and it will take some support for all people to get past that.”
No police officers were injured.
Investigations are ongoing.
