A gunman reportedly suffering mental health issues has died after being shot by police following an "incredibly tense and difficult" siege in Brisbane's south.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Five people were rescued after the 48-year-old Woodridge man was rushed to hospital with gun shot wounds following a six hour stand-off with police at a business on Compton Road, Stretton, on Monday night.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says the people had been locked in an adjoining room to the gunman and had emerged without injury.
The man, who was reportedly homeless and also suffered addiction issues, is believed to have been inside a disability support service clinic during the siege.
"Members of that business could not get out and were in a adjoining room to where the gunman was," Ms Carroll said on Tuesday.
"I don't know if there was children there, there was certainly about five or six adults in an adjoining room that we tried to separate from the gunman.
"They are all safe. I'm grateful that they're safe. (It was) an incredibly tense and difficult situation."
The stand-off began on Monday about 1.20pm at the Stretton business after officers responded to reports of a disturbance.
But the situation "escalated" and police negotiators were called in about 3pm after surrounding businesses were evacuated and an exclusion zone set up.
The man was shot about 7.30pm and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
"We will allege that that person has tried to fire at one of our officers and as a result, obviously action was taken by the police," Ms Carroll said.
"That person was taken to hospital in a critical condition and obviously has passed away.
"Certainly (it was) very tense, very, very difficult and obviously police had to take action in those circumstances."
The Queensland Police Ethical Standards Command is investigating, with Crime and Corruption Commission's assistance.
The 48-year-old man reportedly had a long history of addiction and "severe" mental health issues.
"He converted to Islam in jail a few years ago," a prominent Islamic leader in Brisbane, Ali Kadri, told News Corp Australia.
"Since then he has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.
"A lot of people tried to help him including the police service and the community.
"Unfortunately none of the people trying to help him had the resources with someone with such severe mental health problems."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Australian Associated Press
