Justin Mason: The man was shot dead in Moreton Bay after pulling a gun on police and threatening officers

The man who was shot dead in an armed confrontation with police has been identified with his partner who declared he was the ‘love of her life’.

Justin Mason, 29, died of gunshot wounds during a raid by a specialist police emergency response team at his home in Burpengary East in the South East Queensland town of Moreton Bay on Saturday afternoon.

Police say Mason drew a firearm on officers around 5:30 p.m. and made threats before several shots were fired.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said on Sunday that Mason was a ‘high-risk offender’, which is why the specialist armed response unit was sent.

Mason was the subject of a return to prison and wanted for 47 felonies.

She also said police officers used a “number” of tactics to detain him before being forced to resort to their guns.

Paramedics desperately tried to resuscitate Mason after the shooting, but were unsuccessful.

Ian Leavers, chairman of the Queensland Police Union, defended officers’ actions, saying Mason was a “potential threat”.

“We are trying to resolve things peacefully, but if a firearm is drawn on the police, we have no other choice,” he said.

“The information that the police received from this person was wanted for many, many criminal offenses and was known to be a potential threat to the police.

“What I do know about the incident… this was a result of the police having to apprehend an offender for many offences.”

Local resident John Holloway told the courier post he came home shortly after the incident.

“The kids heard the shots and ran in,” Mr Holloway said.

Police say Mason pulled a firearm at them and made threats as they raided his Queensland home looking for him

Mr Holloway said he didn’t know Mason

Mason’s partner Amba Tonga-Fitzgerald took to social media to mourn his death.

“You are the love of my life, I can’t let you go yet… baby, I love you forever in one day,” she wrote.

Mason’s mom Annette Hicks Mason also posted a heartfelt tribute saying he had a “beautiful heart.”

“Rest in peace our beautiful baby boy,” she wrote.

“Justin, you were a sweet rogue, sometimes an idiot, but always kind and respectful, you had a beautiful heart and always the clown of the family.

“This is just so unbelievable, how are we supposed to live without your presence in our family.

“Everyone you knew loved you. We all loved you so much.

“Your beautiful children will love and miss you forever, we will all love and miss you forever. Rest in peace my little boy……..’

Police remain at the scene of the shooting and say they are investigating the number of bullets fired.

Startled neighbors reported hearing the gunshots as police remained on the scene to investigate the house

“The exact number of shots fired is under investigation.”

Detective Ben Fadian said no police officers were injured in the incident.

“The police involved have received support,” he said.

“We certainly extend our condolences to the dead man’s family.”