Markets 
Rex Martinich
Conflicting accounts of whether a specialist officer gave warnings before opening fire will sit at the heart of a charged inquest into an Indigenous man’s death.
Aubrey Joel Donahue died from a single gunshot wound after a specialist police unit stormed his de facto partner’s home in far north Queensland on March 25, 2023.
The 27-year-old’s death sparked protests, with family and supporters demanding answers after it emerged officers were not wearing body cameras and there was no recorded evidence of the incident.
A pre-inquest hearing was told a tactical officer claimed he yelled “drop the knife” repeatedly before opening fire, contradicting the account of the only non-police witness who stated nothing was said.
Evidence suggested the victim – who his family requested be referred to as Aubrey – had been living with his partner at her family’s home for several weeks despite a domestic violence order, counsel assisting Melia Benn said.
Police had been called to the Mareeba home multiple times in the early hours of the fateful morning, coroner Terry Ryan was told at the Brisbane hearing on Thursday.
Aubrey was determined to present a risk to his partner during a standoff with Queensland Police’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), Ryan was told.
A SERT officer said when he entered the bathroom he saw Aubrey facing away from him and towards his partner, Benn said.
“He saw Aubrey had a knife in his right hand and said ‘drop the knife, drop the knife’.”
The officer said Aubrey turned toward him with a knife raised in his direction and he fired a single round from his rifle with the intent to incapacitate.
Aubrey’s partner’s recollection was different, Ryan heard.
“She told investigators that police did not say anything to Aubrey prior to shooting him,” Benn said.
“This inconsistency will be examined at the inquest as SERT officers were not wearing body-worn cameras at the time.”
Aubrey’s mother, aunt, brother, cousins, uncles and other supporters attended Brisbane Coroners Court on Thursday for the pre-inquest conference.
Some family members were initially denied entry to the court building by security for wearing shirts with the phrase “Justice for Aubrey” alongside pictures of him and an Aboriginal flag.
The family members were let in after the other parties to the inquest consented to the shirts being worn in court.
Aubrey allegedly threatened to harm his partner and her family following a night out in Mareeba, southwest of Cairns, Ryan was told.
Officers were tipped off that Aubrey was hiding with his partner in a bathroom at her house.
“Aubrey said he was in possession of a knife and made threats to police,” Benn said.
“During negotiations Aubrey pushed the knife partially under the bathroom door, confirming he was in possession of the knife.”
SERT arrived at the house about 2.22pm.
“At 3.23pm … [Aubrey’s partner] called out for police to help her,” Benn said.
SERT determined the woman’s life was in danger and officers forced their way into the bathroom before Aubrey was fatally shot.
The inquest will also examine Queensland Corrective Services as Aubrey was released from a custodial sentence for domestic violence at the end of 2022.
Ryan ordered a 10-day inquest to start on June 8 at Cairns.
“Thank you to members of Aubrey’s family for being here and please accept my condolences,” Ryan said.
Aubrey’s family declined to comment as they left court.
If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 13YARN on 13 92 76.
AAP
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