An inquest into the death of Luke Gilbert, who was tragically killed in a police shooting in October 2022, is due to be held in Cairns in August.
Luke was shot in the chest three times just after midnight on October 1 last year following an altercation with two police officers.
Police allege CCTV evidence shows Luke approaching the officers with a pocketknife, refusing to retreat when asked, and then shouts at officers, “f***ing shoot me then you f***ots”.
It is alleged that a total of five shots were made, two hit nearby cars and three hit Luke directly.
Afterwards, he was searched, and it was over seven minutes before resuscitation attempts began.
His parents, Nicola and Darren Gilbert who reside in Western Australia, have since been petitioning for the police officers to be charged with their son’s murder.
They have now received over 16,000 signatures on a petition asking for an inquest into his death.
The Gilbert’s claim that Luke had been wearing his work uniform and that the knife was part of tool kit.
They also allege that unnecessary force was used that night.
“18 seconds was the whole interaction and they shot at my son five times,” said Nicola Gilbert.
“Luke would never have thought they would actually shoot him – had they got the taser, baton or pepper spray out he would have known they would have definitely used them and dropped the knife.”
A pre-inquest was held on Tuesday this week and evidence is now being gathered ahead of the inquest in August.
Luke’s family have received 16,000 signatures on a petition for a police inquest into his death. Photo supplied
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