Inquest hears man likely experiencing psychosis was carrying fake gun and planning 'suicide by cop'
The man was shot dead by police in the foyer of Junction Street Medical Centre in Nowra CBD. (ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez)
In short:
A coronial inquest into a 2024 police shooting has heard the deceased was carrying a fake gun with the intention of being killed by police.
The person is known under a court suppression order as SK.
What's next?
The inquest is expected to last two weeks, with the first responding police officers to give evidence tomorrow.
A coronial inquest into the fatal police shooting of a patient at a medical centre foyer has heard he took a fake gun to say goodbye to his doctor with the intention of being killed by police.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find distressing
Lidcombe Coroners Court heard the deceased, whose name was subject to a suppression order and was referred to as SK, was wearing a GoPro camera and recorded the hours before his death.
SK was shot dead by three tactical police officers following 2 hours of negotiations at the medical practice in Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast on January 10, 2024.
Body-worn camera videos recorded by police and SK were played during the first day of the inquest.
In one video, SK can be heard telling police during negotiations: "I'm over the whole thing, bro, I just wanna die today."
"By 4pm, I will be dead."
'Infatuated' with his GP
The inquest heard on the day he was shot, SK attended the medical centre to say goodbye to his doctor, who he had become infatuated with over a period of nine months.
Assisting counsel to the coroner Sophie Callan SC said handwritten notes referencing the doctor were found in SK's diary and on his mobile phone after his death.
"You are the absolute love of my life and my soul mate," he wrote.
"I love you so damn much and will miss you so bad, I can't wait to see you in heaven."
SK began treatment for mental health and chronic pain in April 2023.
The court heard SK had a "difficult life" with complex mental health and PTSD dating back to when he was a teenager.
Ms Callan said an expert psychiatric report from Dr Kerri Eagle highlighted the infatuation with his GP, describing it as an "erotic manic delusion", and likely a manifestation of chronic schizophrenia.
The court heard that when the GP told SK he could no longer be his doctor and referred him to a community mental health facility, SK threatened to kill himself.
Ms Callan read the report from Dr Eagle, which stated SK was likely experiencing psychosis at the time of his death and "was expressing genuine suicidal intent".
Ms Callan described it as "suicide by cop".
The family of SK were present in the court on Monday.
Forensic investigators examine the scene of SK's death. (ABC Illawarra: Romy Gilbert)
Doctor gives evidence
The Nowra general practitioner told the court he was treating SK for chronic cluster headaches, but was aware of his mental health and suicidal ideations.
He confirmed he was concerned about SK's dependency on opioids, specifically oxycodone.
The doctor described how his "caring and empathetic" approach to his patients was misunderstood by SK.
"I did not treat [him] any different to the way I treat any of my other patients," the doctor said.
"I believe [he] took my kind and caring nature the wrong way."
The doctor said he felt "uncomfortable" when SK walked into his room inside the practice in the afternoon of January 10 carrying what appeared to be a firearm.
"I didn't feel comfortable, knowing his history," he said.
He said he pressed a duress alarm and left the room.
Police were called, and 4 minutes later, three nearby officers arrived, the court heard.
"I said that I'm not comfortable sitting here," he said.
When asked by Ms Callan, the GP said SK seemed "goal-oriented".
"He said 'I am going to die today, I have come to say goodbye', that was in my mind, I was immediately concerned about suicidal intentions."
Four people were stuck inside the practice during the 2-hour negotiation with SK, three staff and one elderly patient.
The GP said since that day, emergency and evacuation protocols had changed at the practice.
Police take the stand
Detective Chief Inspector Glen Brown from the homicide squad state crime command, who was appointed senior critical incident investigator, also took the stand.
He was questioned over his 300-page report, where he confirmed three tactical officers moved in, fully armed, after three first responding field officers were withdrawn.
The court heard the individual officers fired "varying numbers of shots".
"Each fired until they believed the threat no longer existed," his report read.
The court heard not all police were wearing body-worn cameras and that a ballistic shield was used to prop open the centre's glass sliding door.
Ms Callan said the inspector's report noted "the initial responding police engaged in negotiating for a considerable period of time and performed their duties to a high standard, placing themselves in danger" and that the tactical officers "may have escalated the situation".
"I held a personal belief that the senior constables were in an incredibly dangerous position," he said.
"It was far more appropriate for officers trained to respond to those situations to replace and take control."
The court heard the officers had super soft rounds of ammunition in their cars.
"But they had been directed not to use those," said Mr Brown.
Inspector Brown told the court the death of SK was an "undoubtedly tragic event".
However, he believed the man "carefully crafted a plan to achieve his death".
"I am sure that some things could have been done differently and perhaps better," he said.
But that "if all things were done perfectly, a different outcome is unlikely to be achieved".
The inquest is expected to run for two weeks.