Molayi then left his Sunnybank home and was found by the police in a McDonald’s car park.
“When police approached, Mr. Molayi was seen raising his hands and holding a fuel box in one hand and a lighter in the other,” Helson told the court.
“He asked the police to back down. As a result, the officers got away from the vehicle.”
The scene at McDonald’s. Credit:nine news
Helson said police attempted to negotiate with Molayi from the window of his car, while several police units, including PSRT vehicles, were stationed in his car and surrounding streets.
“After a while, Mr. Molayi immersed himself in lighter fuel and attempted to strike a lighter, which failed to ignite,” she said.
“This was when the police used sticks in an attempt to break the driver’s window. It failed. The car later engulfed in flames and Mr. Molayi was hit.”
Molayi frees himself from the car, still engulfed in flames.
Within seconds Molayi ran all the way to the police, who asked him to go back.
Non-lethal force was used against Molayi, who changed direction, running towards another officer, where non-lethal force was used again, but proved ineffective.
Senior Constable David Kolander, an officer of the PSRT team, discharged four rounds, two of which hit Molay, who fell to the ground.
First aid was given but he died the same night. His autopsy determined the cause of his death to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
The officer in charge of the Queensland Police firearms training section said the use of lethal force could be justified and sounded tactfully given the danger.
He made recommendations for training for officers, and Helson said further information and expert advice would be sought.
“Given the growing trend and unfortunate need, especially with regard to self-immolation, authorities appear to be responding to the call for such incidents,” Helson said.
