The family of an Aboriginal man killed by police in the north Queensland town of Mareeba say he was unarmed, holding a mobile phone and attempting to surrender when he was shot four times by tactical officers.
Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters marched through Mareeba on Monday demanding “answers” from police over the shooting of Aubrey Donahue, 27, two days earlier.
At the heart of community unrest is an information vacuum created by police, his family says.
The Queensland police service released an initial statement on Saturday evening that appeared to justify the shooting by making allegations – contested by Donahue’s family – that the man had advanced on officers while armed with a knife.
Police have subsequently refused to release any further information or comment about the circumstances.
Donahue’s mother, Desley Ketchup, told reporters at the protest outside the Mareeba police station on Monday that the family had been kept in the dark.
“I want answers from the person who shot him, who had no fear of putting a gun on him four times,” she said.
“I want answers, why my son is dead from bullet holes … I just want the truth to come out.”
Guardian Australia has spoken to several of Donahue’s family members and supporters, who dispute allegations made by police in a statement released about five hours after Donahue was shot.
It is common ground that Donahue had threatened self-harm and that a woman was present at the house.
The police statement referred to a “domestic violence incident” and that the man had “refused to let the woman leave”. Donahue’s family say they believe he made no physical threat to the woman, but that he had threatened self-harm if she did leave.
Police had said: “Around 3.30pm it is alleged the man advanced on specialist officers whilst armed with a knife.”
“Police shot the man. Immediate first aid and CPR was provided, however the man died at the scene,” police said in a statement.
Donahue’s family say he was carrying a phone when he was shot and that he was attempting to surrender to the heavily armed police tactical squad, which had surrounded the property.
Claims that Donahue was attempting to surrender were repeatedly put to senior police on Sunday, including at a town meeting in Mareeba, where community anger was laid bare.
Acting Supt Kevin Goan told the crowd: “I can’t comment on that, other than to say that these are very important questions.
“And as I’ve said to the family, these are the questions that need to be presented to the coroner,” he told the meeting.
At the meeting, Goan introduced a detective from the police’s ethical standards command, who he said would investigate the shooting.
At one point, a community member asked to hear from the detective and Goan responded: “I don’t care what you want, I’m here to address you…” The comment prompted shouting from those present.
Anger persisted on Monday as several hundred people converged on the Mareeba police station and courthouse, demanding “justice for Aubrey”.
Donahue’s twin brother, Algen, had been arrested immediately after the shooting on Saturday.
Midway through the protest on Monday, he was released from custody. As the crowd enveloped him, Algen Donahue gave a black power salute. Community members then marched through the town, shouting at police and repeating claims that Donahue had been unarmed.
Police have said they cannot comment on the circumstances of the matter because a coronial investigation is under way.
Comment has been sought by police about the weekend’s statement and the subsequent lack of public information about the claim that Donahue was armed.
