Overview

• Aaron Bourke, a 29-year-old Kelso man, was shot three times by specialist SERT officers during the fourth police-involved shooting in Townsville since January and is now stable after treatment at Townsville University Hospital.
• He was formally charged on August 4 with assault occasioning bodily harm, threats, various drug and needle-and-syringe offences, two counts of receiving tainted property and unrelated weapons and explosives charges.
• His case was briefly mentioned at Tuesday’s Townsville Magistrates Court with no bail application made and his next appearance scheduled for September 17 while he remains in custody.
• The Ethical Standards Command is investigating the incident under Crime and Corruption Commission oversight.
• Police Union president Shane Prior defended the officers’ actions and highlighted growing risks to service members as civil liberties groups press for a comprehensive review of use-of-force incidents.