Coroner's Finding: McInerney, Robert Edward
Deceased
Robert Edward McInerney
Demographics
48y, male
Date of death
2016-05-25
Finding date
2019-12-06
Cause of death
gunshot wounds to the right thigh and abdomen with fatal hemorrhage
AI-generated summary
A 48-year-old man with severe chronic pain, alcohol dependence, and mental health issues called police stating he was armed with knives and wanted to be shot. Despite being extensively supported by health services that day and appearing engaged with rehabilitation, he became acutely intoxicated in the evening and formed a clear suicide plan. When police arrived, he threw knives at officers, attempted negotiation failed, and an OC spray deployment was ineffective. He advanced on officers with a knife, forcing the senior constable to discharge four fatal shots in lawful self-defence. The coroner found the officers acted appropriately and that a formal pre-incident briefing (rendezvous) was impractical given the immediate threat to residents. Systemic improvements regarding police training for provoked-shooting scenarios were recommended, though current protocols were adequate.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- severe alcohol intoxication at time of incident
- chronic pain and dependence on analgesics
- suicidal ideation and intent
- mental health instability including mood disorder and possible personality disorder
- escalation of encounter through knife throwing and refusal to disarm
- subject's deliberate provocation of police shooting
- impervious to negotiation despite skilled attempts by trained negotiator
Coroner's recommendations
- Tasmania Police should consider and record criteria for police provoked shooting incidents, including potential or attempted provoked shootings.
- Tasmania Police should maintain a record of incidents meeting the defined criteria for police provoked shootings and potential or attempted police provoked shootings occurring in Tasmania.
- In the event of a marked rise in police provoked shootings and potential or attempted provoked shootings, Tasmania Police should review the need for formulation of a specific policy and training response.
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