An armed man has been shot by officers as he tried to break into the police station in the north Queensland town of Bowen.
The Queensland Police Service said the Bowen man, 35, was armed with a bladed weapon and a chain, and was breaking into the rear doors of the police station at about 2:30pm.
Acting Superintendent Ian Haughton said police knew "very little" about the man, but confirmed he was carrying a knife.
"When that person has forced their way through into the police station, officers that were in the station have attended to the back door and have deployed tasers that were ineffective," he said.
"As a result firearms have been discharged and the person has been shot. That person is currently in Townsville receiving medical attention."
Acting Superintendent Haughton said it appeared the man had been using a chain to smash through the back door of the station.
"The back door to the police station has been smashed and without outlining the exact damage there is what you would name as an airlock at the back of the police station where there is an internal entry door as well as the external door and both of those have sustained damage," he said.
He said the attack was "unique".
"This is just another challenge that you see police encounter," Acting Superintendent Haughton said.
"This is unique to say the least but we will work through this."
Acting Superintendent Haughton said the matter was under investigations, with Ethical Standards Command involved.
The Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics treated a man at the scene and transported him to Bowen Hospital.
He was in a serious but stable condition and was later airlifted to Townsville Hospital.
Nothing further is known about the extent of the man's injuries or how many times he was shot.
No police officers were injured.
