Foster, Troy Martin

32y · Male·gunshot wounds to the trunk

Troy Martin Foster, a 32-year-old man with intellectual impairment, mild cognitive disability, and a history of substance abuse and violence, died following a police shooting. On 24 November 2014, he was detained under a Mental Health Act Emergency Examination Order after telling police he intended to kill himself. At Gold Coast University Hospital, a psychologist assessed him as having no acute mental illness or suicide risk, finding his issues stemmed from drug use and anti-social behaviour rather than mental health disorder. The assessment concluded drug rehabilitation was appropriate. Foster left the hospital and later consumed large amounts of alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamines at his mother's home. During a violent domestic disturbance, police attended and Foster advanced on an officer while holding a meat cleaver. Two dog squad officers discharged firearms, killing him. The coroner found the final use of force justified but identified issues with information dissemination to attending officers and the Mental Health Act assessment process for future consideration.