Queensland man shot dead near Gladstone after pointing loaded rifle found in stolen car at police

There was “no option” for police but to shoot a man dead in central Queensland after the man gained access to a loaded firearm he found inside a stolen car.

The 36-year-old was killed at a rest stop on the Bruce Hwy in Colosseum, about 20km south of Miriam Vale, just before midday on Monday after allegedly threatening police.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Man shot dead by police near Gladstone.

“Police confronted him, called upon him to drop the firearm, he didn’t do that,” Detective Superintendent Darrin Shadlow said on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, police had to engage and subsequently shot that male person.”

Two of the three police officers at the scene opened fire on the man before performing CPR and calling paramedics, however, the man died.

“It’s obviously a very tragic circumstance,” Shadlow said.

“We’ve got to remember, a man has lost his life in relation to this.

“Police don’t go to work expecting this to happen, however, they are trained, and they are ready if something like this does happen — unfortunately this male person has given police no option on this occasion.”

Earlier reports suggested the man had opened fire on members of the public, however, Shadlow was quick to clarify they had received “no reports to police that (the man) had fired on members of the public”, however anyone who had “interactions” should contact police.

Shadlow said the man’s last known address was in Cairns, and he had only been in and around the central Queensland area for the last week, but police “had some interactions with him”.

Police are also investigating if attempted break-ins in the area recently were related to the man.

How the incident unfolded

10.50am: Police receive reports the man had stolen a car containing a loaded long-arm rifle at Bororen.

11.15am: The man confronted a 61-year-old woman at a home on Cawthrays Rd in Colosseum, and, armed with the rifle, demanded a set of car keys. He stole a 4WD ute before barrelling through the front gate of the property.

11.50am: Police said they were patrolling the Bruce Hwy when they spotted the stolen ute but did “not attempt to intercept” and followed the vehicle. The stolen ute then pulled over to the side of the highway and the man stepped out of the car armed with the stolen rifle and pointed it at police.