A man has been charged more than two decades after allegedly robbing a Browns Plains bank in 1999, which left a police officer seriously injured.
Senior Constable Neil Scutts was shot in the groin on March 24, 1999, while responding to reports of an armed robbery where staff and customers were allegedly held at gunpoint.
Police say the offenders were wearing plastic masks, surgical-style gloves and carrying two-way radios.
Senior Constable Scutts's firearm was also allegedly stolen during the incident and is yet to be recovered.
The offenders allegedly took two staff members as hostages and fled on foot before stealing a vehicle at gunpoint.
In 2020, police arrested a then-49-year-old man in relation to the case and charged him with 13 offences including attempted murder, armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and deprivation of liberty.
A second man, a 54-year-old from Woodford, has now been charged with 13 offences including armed robbery, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.
Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said the men allegedly forced their way into the National Bank at Browns Plains.
"During the course of that armed robbery, Senior Constable Scutts was shot, and there were shots [fired] at the second police officer," he said.
"It's still raw in the minds of those victims, not just police but also those people who were inside the bank. No-one deserves to go to work and have this happen to them.
"All victims are important to us and we will chase offenders until we catch them."
At the time of the incident, police said it was a "stroke of luck" Senior Constable Scutts, then aged 33, did not die from his injuries.
"I was scared," Senior Constable Scutts said in an interview soon after the shooting.
"I knew where the pain was, I knew there were some major organs and arteries and stuff. I had no idea what the damage was."
He said paramedics told him at the scene that "everything was still intact" when asked by a reporter whether he would still be able to have children.
Senior Constable Scutts still works for the Queensland Police Service, which Detective Superintendent Smith said was a "testament to his character".
"He obviously recovered, he's now still working out on the frontline, still protecting the community," he said.
"He was extremely grateful, I suppose somewhat apprehensive and excited at the same time, because we've now got the court process to go."
Large reward for information still on offer
Detective Superintendent Smith praised the "great work" of investigators who had been handling the case for so long.
"It's now been 23 years and it's a great closure for the officers involved but also the other victims," he said.
A $500,000 reward was offered in 2020 for information that could help solve the case.
Detective Superintendent Smith said the reward remains on offer and urged anyone with information to come forward.
"We're still seeking further information because we believe other people were involved, and it's important that everyone involved is brought before the court and justice is obtained for all those victims," he said.
The man remains in custody and is due to appear in court on May 8.
