A Queensland Army veteran was meant to be transferred to a private clinic for mental health care before he was gunned down by police, new details show.
Officers were called to Steven Angus’ home in Kirwan last Friday after reports he had threatened self-harm. He charged at them with weapons, police said, and he was shot dead.
New details have emerged that the 52-year-old had been rushed to hospital the day before for emergency mental health care after a two-hour siege with police.
He was released that night and shot the next day during another police siege.
9News has been told there had been an arrangement in place for him to be transferred from the public hospital to a private clinic.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers condemned the lack of communication and protections for a veteran suffering from serious mental health issues.
“This man was very sick and needed treatment and was a danger to himself and others,” Leavers said.
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“It just shows that the communication between the health department and other private clinics who are responsible for treatment, especially for those who have served in the ADF, needs to be improved.”
Angus’ sister Linda told 9News the family would not stop in their pursuit for answers to ensure this did not happen to anyone else.
“My grief has increased tremendously knowing my brother reached out for help and the hospital didn’t care,” she said.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said an investigation into health services was underway.
“I understand the hospital and health service hopes to have their investigation completed by the middle of this year and we’ll be releasing the recommendations from the investigation,” she said.
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