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Lockyer Valley Fugitive Shot Dead By Police, Ending 20-Hour Siege

Rick Charles Maddison, 40, is wanted by police on multiple domestic violence and weapons charges.
Senior Constable Brett Forte (left) was shot dead by Rick Charles Maddison, 40 (right) during a traffic stop on Monday.
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Senior Constable Brett Forte (left) was shot dead by Rick Charles Maddison, 40 (right) during a traffic stop on Monday.

Fugitive Rick Charles Maddison has been shot dead by police while trying to make an escape, ending a 20-hour siege in Queensland's Lockyer Valley, police have confirmed.

Maddison, 40, had been holed up on a remote property near Gatton since mid-afternoon Monday, after shooting dead police officer Brett Forte during a road stop.

Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright told reporters Maddison ran from the shed -- where he had been holed up since Monday afternoon -- towards nearby bushland just after 11am on Tuesday.

"He has been challenged by police. At that point in time, he has fired at those police," Assistant Commissioner Wright said.

Specialist police officers who had cornered Maddison into the shed returned fire, hitting him in the chest.

An earlier statement by police reported that Maddison had been injured and was in police custody, but it has now been confirmed that he was unable to be revived by police at the scene and was declared dead.

The siege began shortly after 2pm on Monday when police attempted to pull over Maddison -- a career criminal wanted by police on multiple domestic violence and weapons charges -- for a traffic stop. He fled in his vehicle and a police chase ensued.

Senior Constable Brett Forte and three crime squad officers chased Maddison down a country road when he suddenly stopped near the town of Seventeen Mile. It is alleged the wanted man then sprayed the two police cars with bullets using a semi-automatic machine gun, The Australian reports.

Senior Constable Forte was shot as his police car reversed into another car and then flipped.

"Unfortunately at this time Brett Forte lost his life," Assistant Commissioner Wright told reporters.

Harrowing footage obtained by the Daily Mail appears to show police officers, who had managed to extricate Forte and themselves from the shooting, attempting to resuscitate the shot police officer.

The fugitive fled into nearby bushland and subsequently fired at a police helicopter, AAP reported. Police say they now have him "contained" on a property in Gatton.

An emergency situation was declared at 3:40pm and the area cleared of residents as police attempted to negotiate with the killer.

Queensland Commissioner Ian Stewart told reporters late Monday that Maddison was "contained" on the property and police were attempting to negotiate with him in the hopes of a peaceful resolution.

Tributes and messages of support have poured out for the slain police officer, Brett Forte, who was part of the Toowoomba-based Tactical Crime Squad.

Senior Constable Brett Forte was allegedly killed by Rick Charles Maddison, 40, as he tried to evade police. He leaves behind a wife and three young children.
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Senior Constable Brett Forte was allegedly killed by Rick Charles Maddison, 40, as he tried to evade police. He leaves behind a wife and three young children.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk commended Forte's dedication in the line of duty.

"So dedicated was he that he paid the ultimate sacrifice," Palaszczuk said.

"We now gather around his family, his wife Suzie, his colleagues and friends, to offer our support in these days, weeks and years ahead.

"Queenslanders today are moved by his sacrifice and his family are in our thoughts and prayers."

Forte had fifteen years' experience in policing and leaves behind a wife and three young children.

Flowers are being left outside the Toowoomba police station with messages of support and thanks.

"To all Toowoomba police officers, never stop what you do," one note reads.

"If ever a person epitomised the broader police family, Brett is it," Commissioner Stewart said.

"We've lost a fine officer, and our condolences, and thoughts and love are with his wife and children, his family and his colleagues," Commissioner Stewart said.

"I want to highlight the tremendous bravery and tenacity of our police officers and the incredible dangers they face on a daily basis in keeping our community safe.

"Brett's death has hit our police family particularly hard and this incident is a reminder of the complexities and challenges our officers are confronted with."

Queensland Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has defended the actions of police during the manhunt, which resulted in two deaths. He said officers "followed procedures to the book", noting that Maddison had a "grievance" against the police force and was a wanted criminal when he was confronted.

Commissioner Stewart said the investigations into the deaths of Senior Constable Forte and Rick Maddison would be "thorough and transparent".

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