An off-duty police officer has recalled the moment a man attacked his girlfriend with knives before he was shot dead by cops.
Damon Savage died after police officers were called to his house following an alleged domestic violence incident that left his girlfriend hiding in a neighbour’s house for safety.
An inquest into the death of Damon Savage began on Monday examining whether police acted appropriately when they shot him during the incident at Dakabin in 2020 and whether any “less than lethal” options were available to them.
Mr Savage had attacked his girlfriend with a knife before cutting his own leg, causing a serious injury which required him to wrap it with cloth to put pressure on the wound.
Counsel assisting coroner Sarah Lane said Mr Savage had been known to be struggling with his mental health in the lead up to his death.
The inquest heard evidence Mr Savage had told police to “shoot me” when they attended his home shortly after midnight on August 27, 2020.
Armed with knives, Mr Savage walked out the front door of his home towards the four police officers.
The inquest heard the officers had ordered him to drop the knives and when he failed to do so he was tasered by Acting Sergeant Stephen Warrentini.
Despite being tasered, Mr Savage lunged at Acting Sergeant Warrentini, which forced two of the officers to fire their weapons.
They then performed CPR but Mr Savage died at the scene.
Mr Savage’s family were legally represented during the inquest by barrister Claire O’Connor on Monday.
Ms O’Connor asked two of the attending officers if they had known before arriving at the house that Mr Savage was suffering from mental health issues, would they’d done anything differently.
“We get a lot of jobs like that, being for the fact that he was armed and he was trying to get into other people’s house, (the answer is) no,” Senior Constable Mark Whitson said.
“If he was to stay in (the house), we could negotiate a situation with him but he took that out of our hands (by walking outside).”
Constable Whitson said he drew his weapon after believing Acting Sergeant Warrentini had been stabbed by Mr Savage.
“He lunged at Steve, I know now it was 6m (in distance between the two) but it felt like a lot closer and that’s when I informed the intention to fire and I fired at Damon,” constable Whitson said.
“I 100 per cent at the time thought that Steve had been stabbed, he was that close.”
Former constable Scott Westerweller, who has since left the Queensland Police Force, told the inquest everything changed as soon as Mr Savage walked outside.
“We were just trying to communicate at the time, I felt safe enough when he was behind the flyscreen door,” Mr Westerweller said.
“We were pleading (with him) to drop the knives.
“I had fear for my life, he’d thrown a knife at the bin but I was fearful for my life that’s why I drew my firearm.”
Mr Westerweller said he wasn’t aware when he arrived at the home that Mr Savage’s partner was safe.
“We possibly would have waited for another crew to come but it’s still (Mr Savage’s) safety we need to account for as well,” Mr Westerweller said.
He explained Mr Savage’s injury to his leg also meant that there was a “threat to his life” if left unattended.
The inquest also heard evidence from Senior Constable Karyn Hart, who lived opposite Mr Savage’s home and was off duty at the time of his death.
Senior Constable Hart said she saw Mr Savage’s girlfriend leave their home and went to help her after seeing she had been attacked by a knife.
The two women returned to Constable Hart’s home as Mr Savage followed them across the road.
“I could see he had a knife in each hand, I couldn’t tell you what type, I could only see the shine off the blade from the street light, it lit up their driveway,” constable Hart said.
“I remember standing between her and him, he was coming to get her.
“I’d pulled the door shut, I was telling him to f– k back off my property and go back home.
“I assumed I was safe behind my Crimsafe door.
“His face was like nothing I’d ever seen before.
“The rage is like nothing I’ve never seen on a job I’ve been too.
“He then proceeded to stab the door with a knife in each hand, the knives pierced the Crimsafe door five times.
“I recall a blade going past my face.”
She recalled Mr Savage then made his way back to his house a few minutes later before police arrived.
An autopsy had also found Mr Savage had recorded a blood-alcohol level 0.124 per cent at the time of his death.
Ms Lane said Mr Savage, his partner and constable Hart had each made calls to police requesting their assistance on the night of the incident, the inquest was told.
The inquest continues on Tuesday.
Where to find help
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact:
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline on 1800 497 212
SHE (free and confidential counselling and support) on 6278 9090
Sexual Assault Support Services on 6231 1811, or after hours 6231 1817
Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
Bravehearts – Sexual Assault Support for Children on 1800 BRAVE 1
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Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800
Don‘t go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14
Men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, should contact the Men‘s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or the Don’t Become That Man helpline on 1300 243 413
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