RUSSELL Island residents are in shock after a man was shot dead by police on Sunday.
Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said that just before 9am, police were called to a disturbance on Ranora Avenue, on the island's west.
Neighbours reported the man had smashed windows and attempted to light a fire at his home.
Two officers arrived to find the man in his 30s allegedly armed with a bladed weapon, possibly a machete. He was shot by police. First aid was administered but the man died at the scene.
Superintendent Pilotto said the officers were reportedly in fear for their lives, having been immediately confronted by the man as soon as they got out of their car.
"It happened as they got out of the vehicle ... and there was very little time from the arrival," he said.
Preliminary investigations indicated police had not used tasers.
"The officers who attended the incident are obviously traumatised, and we're providing support to them," Superintendent Pilotto said.
A nearby resident said the incident had happened very quickly.
Island resident Greg Hartay-Szabo said the small island community was shaken by the shooting.
"Sympathies have been expressed for both sides, the middle aged man deceased (and) his family as well as police who look after us and no doubt are deeply impacted by the swift decision they had to make," he said.
"It shows how ... vulnerably exposed the community could be by the volatility of such a situation."
A Russell Island woman said some residents had been very disturbed by the event.
"(There are) mixed attitudes I guess," the resident said.
"Some (are) very disturbed by the shooting (because there was) no taser, no negotiation, but others think no blame in a life threatening situation."
The shooting sparked debate about police use of guns. It comes after calls escalated earlier this year, especially in the United States, to reduce police funding and redirect money to programs like crime prevention, mental health support and social outreach.
A crime scene has been set up on Russell Island as investigations into the shooting continue.
The Queensland Police Ethical Standards Command is investigating on behalf of the State Coroner, and the investigation is subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
