The devastated family of a worker left in a coma after a confrontation with police outside a convenience store have given a heartbreaking update as they embark on a desperate search for answers.
Luke Briggs, 35, was approached by two police officers in the car park of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Hoppers Crossing, in Melbourne’s west, in the early hours of July 15.
Officers attempted to speak to the builder about a traffic issue when he allegedly became physically aggressive and fought with police.
Paramedics were called after Briggs became unresponsive during the incident.
He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition, where he remains a week later and is expected to die in the coming days.
Victoria Police confirmed on Monday that a sergeant and a constable involved in the arrest have been suspended. No charges have been laid against them.
Mr Briggs’ family have spoken openly of their indescribable pain and suffering.
“Seeing Luke in such a fragile state is heartbreaking and our thoughts are focused solely on spending our last precious days with him,” the family said in a statement to The Associated Press. Age.
Luke Briggs was knocked unconscious during an incident with police a week ago
Mr Briggs was confronted by police officers in the car park of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Hoppers Crossing in the early hours of July 15. Police are pictured at the crime scene.
‘At this time, our priority is Luke’s well-being. We are cooperating with the authorities, who are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
We trust that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal the truth of what happened.
The family has appointed Robinson Gill director Jeremy King as their lawyer, who has raised many unanswered questions about the investigation.
Two officers assigned to the Northwest metropolitan region were interviewed on Friday and were suspended three days later.
“The homicide squad’s investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a man at Hoppers Crossing on July 15 remains ongoing,” the spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
The investigation is being overseen by the Professional Standards Command, as is standard practice when someone is seriously injured in police custody.
‘A police officer and a sergeant from the North West Metropolitan Region have been suspended pending an investigation.’
Luke Briggs (pictured in hospital) is expected to die within days.
The spokeswoman could not comment on why it took a week for action to be taken against the officers allegedly involved.
“Something has gone terribly wrong here. A young man should not end up in intensive care, clinging to life after an encounter with police,” King told The Age.
The tragedy comes just weeks after a 27-year-old man died while being arrested by Victoria Police officers in Kyneton, inland Victoria.
In this case, it is understood that the deceased ingested a substance believed to be cyanide.
Five police officers who were in the house were taken to hospital as a precaution.
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