UPDATE: A man was fatally shot by police after threatening officers with a homemade firearm during a tense standoff outside a residence in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on May 2022. In a shocking revelation during an inquest, it was confirmed that Tjay Robert Doeblien, aged 27, pointed a crude weapon at police while declaring, “one of you is going down,” just moments before being shot.
The urgent details emerged as the inquest commenced on Wednesday, with Coroner Terry Ryan hearing testimony from Senior Constable John Johnstone. He recounted the harrowing moment he felt compelled to fire his service rifle at Doeblien, stating that the man’s actions posed an immediate threat to the officers on the scene. “I decided to attempt to stop that imminent threat,” Johnstone explained. “I pressed the trigger once… I observed him fall.”
Witnesses, including Doeblien’s mother, Patricia Roach, were in attendance as they viewed body-worn footage showing police attempting to negotiate with the armed man. Officers pleaded with him to lower his weapon, offering “You put the gun down, we lower our firearms. That’s a fair deal.” Despite these efforts, Doeblien brandished a makeshift “zip gun” crafted from pipe and metal, which was later determined to be incapable of firing, yet appeared realistic enough to elicit fear.
The inquest revealed that Doeblien had been seen threatening himself and police, claiming, “there’s one round in here,” further escalating the situation. Senior Constable Darien Gough testified that a man pointing a gun at officers from 25 meters away constituted an unacceptable risk of severe harm. “I interpreted it as one of us would be shot and killed,” he stated.
Doeblien reportedly did not comply with commands to disarm, insisting that his weapon lacked a firing pin. However, Gough emphasized that this did not mitigate the potential danger. “It doesn’t change the risks. We didn’t have that establishment of trust,” he noted, stressing the officers’ duty to protect themselves and the public.
As the inquest continues, discussions around police protocols and the use of lethal force in high-stress situations are expected to intensify. The incident raises critical questions about mental health intervention and community safety, highlighting the urgent need for resources, as indicated by support services like Lifeline (13 11 14) and beyondblue (1300 22 4636).
The inquest is set to conclude on Thursday, with observers anticipating further insights into the tragic events that unfolded that day. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation develops.
