A mother has been accused of ambushing her former partner and stabbing him to death in front of their 10-year-old son at a Brisbane home.
Queensland Police will allege the woman, 53, lay in wait for the father at his unit block in Newmarket on Wednesday night.
As father and son walked towards the building stairwell, the 51-year-old was attacked.
Police claim she sprayed him with something and stabbed him repeatedly, including in the neck, as he tried to get away and ran into the street.
The attack was witnessed by the couple's child, who lived with his father after the parents separated five years ago, Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming told reporters on Thursday.
"My understanding is the male victim had no reason to suspect he would be set upon last night," Det Supt Fleming said.
"We will allege this was brutal, unforeseen by the victim, and just tragic in all regards ... that poor boy had to see what happened to his father."
Neighbours tried to save the man but police allege the woman kept them at bay with a replica gun.
The woman, from Kangaroo Point, has been charged with murder and is due to face court on Thursday.
Police said there were no domestic violence orders in relation to the pair.
