The parents of a Gorton-born man who was shot dead by police in Australia say they have launched a campaign to get 'justice' for their son.
Luke Gilbert's mother and father, Darren and Nicola, allege officers used excessive force and in a statement, said his death was 'avoidable and unnecessary'. They claimed the level of force used by police in Queensland 'was completely disproportionate to what was happening'.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News , police said Luke, who was 24, approached officers and allegedly lunged at them with a pen knife before he was shot on a street in the early hours of October 1. It's understood five shots were fired by two officers in total.
READ MORE: 'You don't go from sitting in a pub to being shot dead by police in 10 minutes'
Luke and his younger brother, Zac, together with their parents, moved to Perth in Western Australia from Abbey Hey in Gorton, Manchester, when he was five. He went to Abbey Hey Primary School before they emigrated.
Luke, understood to have been working as a cabinet maker, lived in Perth but had been travelling for five months, camping most weekends, and was on a night out with his girlfriend in the resort of Airlie Beach, Queensland, when the incident happened.
In a new statement, Luke's parents Darren and Nicola, said: "Our son Luke was shot and killed by Queensland police on October 1, 2022.
"He did not deserve the level of force used and we are now seeking justice. We have started an Instagram campaign and we are looking for support. If this can happen to Luke, a hardworking young man from a normal family, then it can happen to anyone.
"Every parent whose child frequents the party strip in Airlie Beach needs to be aware this could have been their child. Luke's killing was avoidable, unnecessary and the force used was completely disproportionate to what was happening."
The family claimed they are in possession of a number of videos capturing the shooting filmed by members of the public, which they allege disprove the police's version of events.
They said: "Luke was not wearing a hoodie, he did not lunge at police with his knife, at the moment they shot him he posed no threat as he was about 20 feet away and they had no reason to shoot. The police had plenty of time to use pepper spray, baton or taser but they chose their firearm first.
"Australia has a large backpacker community and the British public need to know this is how our police respond.
"As a family we will exhaust all options to get justice for Luke and we would encourage people to continue to come forward, together we can force the change that is needed. Luke's story needs to be told as this is the only way we will not only get justice but also stop this from happening again."
In a statement at the time, police in Queensland said: "A man aged in his 20s and allegedly armed with a knife was fatally shot by police in Airlie Beach this morning (October 1). Preliminary investigations indicate around 12.20am police were in Shute Harbour Road when they were approached by the man.
"The man allegedly threatened officers advancing on them and was subsequently shot. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the man who was transported to Proserpine Hospital but he was declared deceased a short time later. A crime scene has been established in Shute Harbour Road and investigations are continuing."
The M.E.N. has previously told how the family are desperate for answers. Luke's aunt Gina O'Mara, from Boarshaw, Middleton, said: "As a family we are desperate for any answers. That is not the person Luke was.
"He was a lovely person, he was travelling and full of life. People loved him. Everybody knew him and loved him. The family are not being told anything directly from the police. They have had no liaison at all. You don't just go from sitting in a pub having a good night to being shot dead in 10 minutes."
It's understood the officers involved gave first aid but Luke was rushed to Proserpine Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
The Manchester Evening News contacted Queensland Police and asked the force to comment on the family's claims.
A spokesman said: "The incident is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner, and is subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission."
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