Tweet Facebook Mail WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of a person who is deceased. The death of an unarmed Indigenous man who was shot while fleeing custody has prompted a coroner to recommend an urgent review of laws governing the use of firearms by correctional officers. Dwayne Johnstone, a 43-year-old Wiradjuri man, was shot dead outside Lismore Base Hospital as he ran in leg shackles and handcuffs from a prison van after receiving medical treatment on March 15, 2019.
A correctional officer fired three shots at Johnstone as he tried to flee, including an initial warning shot. READ MORE: Reason for British tech giant's doomed luxury yacht trip revealed Dwayne Johnstone, a 43-year-old Wiradjuri man, was shot dead outside Lismore Base Hospital as he ran in leg shackles and handcuffs from a prison van after receiving medical treatment on March 15, 2019. (NSW Health) The third bullet fatally struck him in the back.
Delivering her findings into Johnstone's death today, State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan recommended the NSW attorney-general and minister for corrections conduct an urgent review of legislation regarding correctional officers' use of firearms. O'Sullivan noted Corrective Services NSW had made significant changes to training and other protocols since 2019, which she said demonstrated a sincere desire to avoid a similar incident occurring again. READ MORE: Court upholds conviction of former secretary at Nazi con.