smh.com.au
Coroner Upholds Police Actions in Fatal Brisbane Shooting
A coroner found that Brisbane police acted proportionately when fatally shooting an armed man in Mary Street on February 23, 2020, after he stabbed a tourist; the incident was initially investigated as a potential terrorist act but found to be linked to the man's mental health.
- What were the immediate actions and consequences of the police response to the incident involving Mohamad Ikraam Bahram?
- On February 23, 2020, Brisbane police fatally shot Mohamad Ikraam Bahram, who had stabbed a British tourist. A coroner found the police acted proportionately to an armed offender, within seconds of arrival, and unaware of Bahram's mental health history.
- What were the key findings of the coroner's report regarding the police investigation and its impact on Bahram's family?
- The shooting followed a stabbing; the coroner found no evidence of terrorism, but rather a mental health episode. Police investigated all lines of inquiry, including the possibility of terrorism, due to the circumstances. Bahram's family found the investigation distressing, particularly the search of their home.
- What are the broader implications of this case for police training and procedures in similar high-pressure situations involving mental health?
- This case highlights the challenges police face when responding to rapidly evolving, potentially dangerous situations with limited information. The coroner's findings underscore the importance of thorough investigations, even when mental health may be a factor. Future training might focus on de-escalation techniques in such high-stakes situations.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative primarily from the perspective of the police and the coroner's inquest. While it mentions the family's concerns, the emphasis remains on justifying the police actions and ruling out terrorism, which may influence the reader to view the incident primarily through a law enforcement lens rather than considering the broader social and mental health aspects. The headline, if there was one (not provided), likely would further reinforce this framing. The opening sentences immediately establish the police actions as 'reasonable', setting a certain tone and potentially pre-judging the case for readers.
Language Bias
The article uses fairly neutral language in describing the events, but terms like 'sprinting with a large knife directly towards a constable' could be perceived as inflammatory. While factually accurate, alternative phrasing could lessen the emotional impact and present a more balanced account. For example, 'approaching a constable with a knife' could be a less charged alternative. The repeated emphasis on Bahram's actions being potentially terrorism related, even though this was disproved, presents a subtle bias towards framing him in a negative light.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the police actions and the coroner's findings, but omits details about the victim's recovery, ongoing trauma, and long-term impact. Information regarding the Bahram family's perspective beyond their distress over the investigation is also limited. While the coroner acknowledges the family's distress, a deeper exploration of their perspective and potential grievances could provide a more balanced account. The article also omits details on the mental health support Bahram may or may not have received prior to the incident.
False Dichotomy
The narrative presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the situation as either a terrorist attack or a mental health episode. While the coroner ultimately ruled out terrorism, the article still emphasizes the initial police investigation into a possible terrorist act, without fully exploring the complexities of mental health and potential contributing factors leading to Bahram's actions. This binary framing could oversimplify the situation and overshadow other possible contributing factors.
Sustainable Development Goals
The coroner's findings provide a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the use of force by police, ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law. The investigation also addressed concerns about the initial characterization of the incident as potentially terrorism-related, demonstrating a commitment to due process and fair treatment.