A distress call was made to emergency services by a mother seeking mental health assistance for her 19-year-old son in Arana Hills. The call was placed around 11 a.m. (AEST), according to police reports.

Approximately 90 minutes after the call, three police officers and paramedics arrived at the residence on Akebia Street.

Inside the home, two officers attempted to persuade the young man to accept help for his mental health issues. However, he allegedly responded by brandishing a large kitchen knife.

In response to the threat, a first-year constable fired two shots, hitting the young man in the abdomen, as detailed by Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham during a press briefing.

The incident unfolded in front of the man’s mother, who witnessed the shooting.

“The mother is understandably distressed and traumatized,” Massingham stated.

“The situation here is one that we encounter where we attempt to get help for somebody and unfortunately, that help doesn’t always go as planned and situations like this arise where unfortunately this sort of action needs to be taken.

“It’s a lethal use of force option that is our last option.”

Officers and paramedics immediately provided first aid at the scene.

The man was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition to undergo emergency surgery.

Massingham said a Taser was also discharged at some point, but it is unclear whether that occurred before the gun was fired.

“The timing of that in terms of when the shots were fired will be subject to the ongoing investigation,” Massingham said.

The police officer who fired the shots was “distraught”, Massingham said.

“We don’t come to work everyday expecting this and when the reality hits that something like this has occurred, it is tramuatic for all involved and that young man is feeling that right way.

Body-worn cameras were operating at the time and will be reviewed.

The officers involved are yet to interviewed.

“We are currently in the process of doorknocking, obtaining witness statements of people that may have tragically heard or witnessed the subsequent events after this man was shot,” Massingham said.

The matter will be investigated by the Ethical Standards Command with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission, as is standard practice.