Police accidentally shoot Cairns woman while firing at armed man
An innocent 50-year-old woman was accidentally shot in the leg by police in Cairns, Australia, during an operation to apprehend an armed man. Both the bystander and the suspect are currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns regarding police use-of-force protocols and the safety of bystanders during high-stakes law enforcement operations.
An innocent bystander has been shot in the leg by police while standing near the front door of her home in suburban Cairns.
Police said the 50-year-old was accidentally hit when officers fired at a man allegedly armed with knives at a neighbouring property in Mount Sheridan on Saturday afternoon.
Far Northern region assistant commissioner Graeme Paine said the shootings happened during an "extremely dangerous" incident with "very significant threat levels".
"It was a busy residential and traffic area. It appears that one of the bullets that was discharged from the firearm has struck this lady in the lower leg," Paine said.
"It's the actions of the person at the time, and the level of threat, which then dictates the response by the officers."
The situation was very challenging and distressing for the family and officers involved, Paine said.
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