The devastated family of a tradie left in a coma following a run-in with police outside a convenience store have given a heartbreaking update as they launched a desperate quest for answers.
Luke Briggs, 35, was approached by two male police officers in the carpark of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s west in the early hours of July 15.
The officers attempted to speak with the builder regarding a traffic issues when he allegedly became physically aggressive and wrestled with police.
Paramedics were called after Briggs became unresponsive during the incident.
He was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition, where he remains one week later and is expected to die in the coming days.
Victoria Police confirmed on Monday that a male sergeant and constable involved in the arrest have been suspended. No charges have been laid.
Mr Brigg’s family have opened up about their indescribable pain and suffering.
‘Seeing Luke in such a fragile state is soul-crushing, and our thoughts are solely focused on spending our last few precious days with him,’ the family said in a statement to the Age.
Luke Briggs became unresponsive during an incident with police a week ago
Mr Briggs was confronted by police officers in the carpark of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Hoppers Crossing in the early hours on July 15, Pictured are police at the crime scene
‘At this stage, our priority is Luke’s wellbeing. We are co-operating with authorities, who are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
‘We trust that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal the truth of what happened.’
The family have appointed Robinson Gill principal Jeremy King as their lawyer, who has many lot of unanswered questions about the investigation.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad are investigating the incident with oversight from Victoria Police’s Professional Standards Command.
Two officers attached to north-west metro region were interviewed on Friday before they were suspended on Monday.
‘The investigation by the homicide squad into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a man in Hoppers Crossing on July 15 remains ongoing,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘The investigation is being oversighted by Professional Standards Command, as per standard practice when someone is seriously injured in police custody.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for further comment.
Luke Briggs (pictured in hospital) is expected to die within days
Mr King has questioned why it took Victoria Police a week to suspend the officers involved in Mr Briggs’ arrest.
‘Something has gone terribly wrong here. A young man should not end up in the intensive care unit, clinging to life after an interaction with police,’ he told the publication.
The tragedy comes just weeks after a 27-year old man died while being arrested by Victoria Police officers in Kyneton, in country Victoria.
In that instance, it is understood the deceased man ingested a substance believed to be cyanide.
Five police officers who were in the home were taken to hospital as a precaution
