Dramatic moment hero butcher takes down man who allegedly stormed shopping centre threatening to stab people
A local butcher is being hailed as a hero after shooting a man who allegedly stormed a shopping center and threatened to stab customers with scissors.
Darren Burnett was at the center of the civilian arrest of Luke Linsley Thorpe at the Kawana Shopping Center in southeast Queensland on Friday.
He was working his normal shift at Master Meats when the man suddenly threatened to kill people.
Mr Burnett left work and left with another man in the direction of the suspected armed man.
Tony Harvey, the butcher’s owner and manager, says his employee played a major role in the citizen’s arrest.
The man was restrained by the public and arrested by police a short time later
“There was a lot of noise, then people started running and someone shouted that he had a knife,” Mr Harvey told police. Courier mail.
But despite his efforts, Mr Burnett was convinced he was no hero.
“I didn’t even think about whether I was going to get stabbed, I just jumped in,” he said.
He said he just jumped in and tried to do something after he saw security moving customers and staff to safety.
Mr Burnett then recalled seeing a terrified woman on the phone to police, white and shaking violently, who he reassured.
He then grabbed a shopping trolley from Woolworths and walked armed to the car park outside, where he saw a struggle taking place.
Darren Burnett played a key role in the civilian arrest of Luke Linsley Thorpe at the Kawana Shopping Center in southeast Queensland on Friday.
“Two guys grabbed him and tried to restrain him… so I ran through the parking garage and pushed him to the ground.” said Mr. Burnett.
Then he remembered seeing the police arrive in a paddy wagon.
Police alleged that he stole a pair of scissors from the store and threatened to kill a female customer and everyone in the mall.
A Mirvac spokesperson for the Kawana Shopping Center said the safety of customers, retailers and staff is of the utmost importance and they continue to work closely with local police and retailers following the incident.
They said the Center Management Team is undergoing intensive training in emergency management and will continue to review and update procedures as necessary.
Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia the 41-year-old man from Caboolture was charged with arming people with intent to cause fear, theft, malicious damage, trespassing and committing a public nuisance.
“The man was restrained by the public and arrested by police a short time later,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
“No one was physically injured during the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.”
He is expected to appear in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on June 7.