Mum takes solace son died knowing he was deeply lovedRex MartinichAAPThu, 6 November 2025 1:50PM
The mother of a man shot dead during an armed stand-off with police has wept in court as she described her son as loving and always willing to help people.
Tjay Robert Doeblien, 27, died after being shot once in the chest outside an Ipswich home, west of Brisbane, on May 15, 2022.
Mr Doeblien’s mother Patricia Roach read a statement from the family during the second day of an inquest.
“He would do anything for his children and cherished all the time he spent with them,” Ms Roach said on Thursday.
“Tjay was very thoughtful, kind-hearted and a giving person .. buying food for friends who could not afford to feed their children.”
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Mr Doeblien pointed a pistol at police and threatened to kill an officer during a 46-minute confrontation with police, coroner Terry Ryan heard.
Police had attended reports of a disturbance and Mr Doeblien had not complied with repeated directions to put the gun down.
Mr Doeblein told family members “I love you” every time they met or had a phone call or text, Ms Roach said.
“I’m thankful it became a daily habit because he would have passed knowing we all loved him deeply,” she said.
Mr Ryan offered Ms Roach his condolences.
“His last moments in terms of the events leading up to his death will not define him,” Mr Ryan said.
“Unfortunately he was affected by drugs on that occasion and too often in these types of matters it does involve people acting irrationally while under the influence.”
Forensic exams revealed methamphetamine in Mr Doeblein’s system and fatal injuries to his heart and lungs from a single rifle round, counsel assisting Carolyn McKeon said.
“Evidence in respect of which officer fired which shot is simple,” Ms McKeon said.
“Two officers fired shots: Constable Darien Gough from his service-issue Glock (pistol) and Constable John Johnstone from his service-issued SIG Sauer rifle.”
Const Johnstone previously testified he fired after Mr Doeblein appeared to deliberately aim a silver handgun at police.
Mr Doeblein’s handgun was later found to be a crude ‘zip gun’ missing crucial components and was incapable of being fired.
A police investigation found Mr Doeblein was too far away from officers for them to use less-lethal options and it was too dangerous to get closer.
“The use of lethal force was authorised, justified, reasonable, proportionate, legally defensible and tactically sound and effective,” Ms McKeon said.
Inspector Matthew Blunn, who was in charge of the scene, testified he requested a police dog, helicopter and tactical officers but none arrived before shots were fired.
Insp Blunn denied he gave direction to open fire when he said: “If he comes too close we’re just going to have to shoot him, boys.”
“No one sets out to be involved in a shooting,” Insp Blunn said.
“I wanted to be clear to everyone that this is one of the tactical options.”
Mr Ryan adjourned the inquest for findings to be handed down on a date to be determined.
Mr Doeblein’s family did not comment outside court.
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