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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
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Paul Britton & Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Family of Brit shot dead by police in Australia say officers waited 7 minutes before CPR

The family of a British-born man who was shot dead by police in Australia have alleged that officers waited seven minutes before giving him CPR.

Five shots were reportedly fired at 24-year-old Luke Gilbert following an alleged stand-off in town of Airlie Beach, Queensland in October last year.

In a statement at the time, police said he "allegedly threatened officers advancing on them and was subsequently shot".

Officers are then said to have "immediately rendered first aid", with Luke was declared dead a short time later.

But parents Darren and Nicola Gilbert now claimed they've viewed CCTV and video footage which showed he didn't lunge at them with his penknife, and that police waited seven minutes before beginning CPR.

Luke Gilbert, 24, died following an alleged stand-off with police in town of Airlie Beach, Queensland in October last year (MEN Media)

Commenting on the footage, which the family said was given to them by the public and has been independently analysed, they told the M.E.N: "We can now confirm the small penknife that he had on his belt which he used for work and camping - it is not uncommon to carry one as a tool in Australia, especially when driving vast distances and camping - was only in his hand because they'd asked to see what he had.

"He didn't threaten anyone or lunge or make any sudden movements, and he was 20ft away when they opened fire.

"They shot at my son five times and while he lay unresponsive dying on the pavement they restrained him, emptied his pockets and arrested him, and it was seven minutes before they attempted CPR."

The parents also said they were 'dissatisfied' with the current police inquiry.

Luke and his younger brother, Zac, moved with their parents to Perth in Western Australia from Abbey Hey in Gorton, Manchester, when Luke was five.

The family say footage of the incident was given to them by the public and has been independently analysed (MEN Media)

They added: "We are calling for justice for Luke. We demand a transparent and independent investigation into Luke's death, including a review of the officers' use of force and whether they followed proper procedures.

"Luke was loved by many, especially the community in Mandurah, Western Australia, where he grew up. He was a hardworking lad who had been travelling around Australia since May last year.

"Luke drove down to Airlie beach that day to help a friend with car trouble and decided to stay the night. Luke never came back."

On the night, they claimed Luke was walking to a pub still dressed in his workwear, which included a small penknife he used as a tool clipped to his belt.

Darren and Nicola then said he covered the knife with his hand, but was stopped and questioned - at which point they alleged he unclipped the penknife to show the officers, before walking slowly back towards them.

The parents believe Luke had his arms down by his side 'approximately 20ft from the officers' when police opened fire (MEN Media)

Detailing what they believed happened next, they said: "Both officers immediately drew their firearms and pointed them at Luke, escalating the situation very quickly,"

"They shouted to drop the knife and the first two officers he had walked past became aware and ran over. Luke didn't drop the knife. With the two guns pointed at him for no reason he would have been terrified and confused.

The parents believed Luke had his arms down by his side "approximately 20ft from the officers" when they opened fire, and said he was shot at five times by both officers.

Darren and Nicola Gilbert have now launched a petition which has attracted more than 15,000 signatures and called for a 'transparent and independent investigation into Luke's death, including a review of the officers' use of force and whether they followed proper procedures'.

The Daily Mirror has contacted Queensland Police for comment.

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