The death of a 24-year-old man shot by police in north Queensland will be investigated by the ethical standards command.
Luke Gilbert was fatally shot about 12.20am on Saturday at Airlie Beach's safe night precinct, after allegedly threatening officers and producing a knife.
He was administered first aid and transported to Proserpine Hospital but died a short time later.
Superintendent Graeme Paine said officers provided verbal directions to Mr Gilbert as he advanced but he continued.
"To carry a knife in a safe night precinct which is a dynamic place... really does pose a significant threat to the public - including the police that are in there trying to maintain the safety of everyone," he said.
"The officers make an assessment and act on that assessment."
CCTV footage and body-worn police cameras will form part of the investigation, Supt Paine said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Gilbert's brother Zac questioned the police's use of force.
"They didn't try the taser, the baton or the pepper spray first they went straight for the guns carelessly," he wrote.
The incident is under investigation by Queensland Police's ethical standards command on behalf of the state coroner.
