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AAP
AAP
National
Cheryl Goodenough

Man threatened to set cops on fire before fatal shot

Omid Molayee was shot as he ran towards officers with "bear hug arms", a court heard. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Six minutes and 20 seconds after police found Omid Molayee in a car park, the man who threatened to set himself and officers on fire was dead.

The 43-year-old earlier poured fuel over himself and his partner before she escaped and he drove away, coroner Terry Ryan said on Friday in handing down inquest findings into Mr Molayee's death on April 6, 2020.

After police found him in a McDonald's car park at Sunnybank, south of Brisbane, Mr Molayee told his partner on the phone: "If they try anything, I am going to set myself and the police officers on fire."

Attempts were made to negotiate, but when more police arrived Mr Molayee poured fuel over his body and set himself alight.

About 15 seconds after he and his vehicle burst into flames Mr Molayee opened the door and was shot as he ran towards officers with "bear hug arms", the court heard.

Officers told the inquest of being genuinely in fear for their life and were clearly affected by what occurred in the six minutes and 20 seconds from finding Mr Molayee to lethal shots being fired, Mr Ryan said.

The initial viewing of confronting images of Mr Molayee running at police raised concerns about whether the actions of police were appropriate as it appeared unclear what harm a man on fire might cause officers, Mr Ryan said.

"However, I was ultimately satisfied that the actions of each of the officers who attended the incident were appropriate and complied with the relevant QPS policies and procedures.

"Efforts were made to cordon and contain Mr Molayee and to limit the risk of harm and threat presented by him."

He commended a senior constable for efforts to calmly communicate and build rapport with Mr Molayee.

It is possible but by no means certain that had the officer been given the opportunity to continue his engagement with Mr Molayee the outcome may have been different, Mr Ryan said in handing down his findings.

He also found there was no other use of force option available to adequately stop the imminent risk of serious injury or death.

The Iranian-born man entered Australia illegally in 2011 and was granted a protection visa the following year.

His family asked the coroner not to lose sight of the father, son and friend they had lost.

The court had to consider the details of the lowest moment on the darkest day of a man whose life was dedicated to dignity and honour, they said in a statement to the coroner.

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