Inquest into the death of Andrew Chee Quee
Deceased
Andrew James Chee Quee
Demographics
51y, male
Date of death
2020-04-20
Finding date
2024-11-26
Cause of death
gunshot wound to the chest
AI-generated summary
Andrew Chee Quee, 51, died from a gunshot wound sustained during a police confrontation at Bay Street, Rockdale, on 20 April 2020. He had a longstanding history of depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. On the evening of his death, following an argument with his partner, he made repeated 'final messages' to friends, armed himself with two hammers and knives, and engaged with police over several hours. During the final confrontation, he ran at officers brandishing hammers while shouting for police to shoot him. Officers had deployed Tasers without effect; Probationary Constable Worboys fired a single shot, striking Andrew in the chest. The coroner found Andrew intended to provoke police to cause his death (suicide by police). The shooting was found to be a justified use of force. Key clinical lesson: this case highlights the challenges police face responding to mental health crises, particularly when individuals are at immediate imminent risk and have acute suicidality with intention to provoke lethal confrontation.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- longstanding depression and mental health disorder
- suicidal ideation and prior suicide attempts
- recent relationship crisis and perceived rejection
- substance use (alcohol and benzodiazepines) causing disinhibition and emotional lability
- escalating distress in weeks prior to death
- deliberate provocation of armed confrontation with police
- police uncertainty about weapons (initially unclear if firearms involved)
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