Inquest into the death of Mohamed Syed Ahamed
Deceased
Mohamed Rahmathullah Syed Ahamed
Demographics
33y, male
Date of death
2023-02-28
Finding date
2025-02-05
Cause of death
gunshot wounds to chest and upper arm
AI-generated summary
A 33-year-old man with bipolar disorder on reducing doses of risperidone experienced a psychotic relapse and stabbed a stranger at a railway station. He then entered a police station with a knife, advancing on officers despite being ordered to drop it. A police officer discharged his firearm, causing fatal chest and upper arm wounds. The coroner found the officer's use of lethal force was justified and consistent with policy. The patient's GP management, including gradual risperidone dose reduction despite lack of psychiatric review, was deemed appropriate. The police officers' decision not to seek mental health assessment on 26 February 2023 was reasonable under the circumstances, though the coroner noted a systemic need for health-led rather than police-led responses to mental health crises in NSW.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- bipolar disorder with psychotic relapse
- reduction in antipsychotic medication (risperidone) without psychiatric review
- increased psychosocial stressors (family pressure, visa delays, marriage pressure)
- non-adherence or inadequate medication levels at time of death
- police engagement in mental health crisis without access to mental health-led response
- absence of PACER (Police and Clinician Early Response) service at Auburn
- limited alternatives for mental health assessment available to police
Coroner's recommendations
- NSW Police Force to work with NSW Health to explore a health-led rather than police-led approach to mental health crisis response
- Consideration of PACER service expansion to Auburn Command and other areas
- Further consultation between NSW Police Force, NSW Health, NSW Ambulance and mental health service providers regarding alternative models of response to mental health emergencies
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