QLDother

Scorsese, Liam Cooper

Deceased

Liam Cooper Scorsese

Demographics

31y, male

Coroner

Ryan

Date of death

2018-02-25

Finding date

2021-05-28

Cause of death

Gunshot wounds to the neck and chest

AI-generated summary

Liam Scorsese, 31, died from gunshot wounds inflicted by police during a confrontation at his estranged partner's parents' home in Queensland. He had a history of violence, substance abuse (methamphetamine, cocaine), and untreated mental health issues including drug-induced paranoia. Despite repeated directions from his parole officer to obtain a mental health plan after release, he failed to engage. On the day of death, intoxicated and displaying paranoia, he attended the family home, became aggressive when asked to leave, and produced a knife when police arrived. Officers attempted de-escalation and deployed a Taser (ineffective), but he advanced toward them. The officer fired twice when Scorsese came within 2.5 metres. The coroner found the police response lawful and appropriate. Clinical lessons include: importance of mental health assessment on release from custody; need for better information-sharing between correctional and health services; and enhanced training for parole officers managing substance abuse and mental health comorbidity. Notably, the responding officer's body-worn camera failed to activate, limiting independent documentation of the incident.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

emergency medicinepsychiatrygeneral practiceparamedicinecorrectional health

Error types

communicationsystem

Drugs involved

methamphetaminecocaineGHBalcohol

Clinical conditions

anxietydepressiondrug-induced psychosissubstance use disorderantisocial personality disorder

Contributing factors

Acute intoxication with methamphetamine and cocaine at time of incident
Undiagnosed and unmanaged mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, drug-induced psychosis)
Failure to engage with mental health services despite parole officer support and direction
History of violence and poor anger management
Domestic violence in relationship with partner
Inadequate mental health assessment and planning on release from custody
Lack of formal psychiatric referral despite multiple episodes of self-harm and suicidal behavior
Non-compliance with parole conditions including mental health plan requirement

Coroner's recommendations

Queensland Police Service should consider the viability of purchasing Bluetooth-enabled feature for Axon body-worn cameras to automatically trigger recording when firearms are drawn
Queensland Police Service should use the capabilities of Axon and Evidence.com platform to conduct random audits to ensure officer compliance with policies relating to body-worn camera use
Queensland Corrective Services should enhance information sharing of prisoner mental health information from prison to parole
Queensland Corrective Services should develop and co-ordinate delivery of annual mental health training for case managers with options for alternative mental health referrals to assist with reintegration
Queensland Government should consider an independent review of current arrangements for investigation of police-related deaths

Full text

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Source and disclaimer

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