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A man who police said fired a rifle at his children, ex-partner, and members of the public is dead after being shot by officers south of Maryborough this morning.
Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins said police received reports of a man armed with a rifle travelling around the town of Tiaro in a car on Saturday night.
"Early indications are that he had a dispute with his ex-partner that has led to the weapon being discharged or fired at her vehicle, at her and her children," he said.
"One of the weapons he was using was an extremely high-powered rifle."
Superintendent Hawkins said the man also shot at a neighbour and fired at someone when he tried to get fuel.
The police helicopter and specialist officers were brought in to search for the man through the night.
The 40-year-old was found at a house on the outskirts of the town at about 7:00am.
"Unfortunately this man was in an elevated position as police arrived," Superintendent Hawkins said.
"He fired upon police and also charged police with a weapon.
"Police responded by returning fire towards the man."
The man was critically inured by members of the Special Emergency Response Team.
He died at the scene.
Queensland Police Union secretary Mick Barnes said officers acted "bravely and appropriately".
"Police were left with no other option than to act in self-defence and to also protect the public," he said in a statement.
"We are extremely lucky that police and members of the public were not killed or seriously injured by the offender."
Topics: police, police-sieges, crime, law-crime-and-justice, tiaro-4650, australia, qld, maryborough-4650, brisbane-4000
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