- Police officer died of a gunshot wound, which is being treated as non-suspicious
- He was found by colleges at 9am Saturday at the AFP headquarters in Melbourne
- Second fatal shooting in the building this year after an officer died in February
- Authorities are looking into the incident and preparing a report for the coroner
- Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten has offered his sympathies to the family
A family and colleagues are grieving after an Australian Federal Police officer took his own life at the agency’s Melbourne headquarters, the second to do so in less than a year.
He was found by colleagues at the La Trobe Street AFP headquarters at around 9am.
‘It is not possible to put into words the grief and acute impact today’s loss will have on all within our close knit AFP family,’ said commissioner Andrew Colvin.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the death was not suspicious
The officer died of a gunshot and was found at 9am at the La Trobe St headquarters (pictured)
‘My thoughts are with his loved ones and the broader AFP family,’ commissioner Colvin added.
He will be joined by Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan, Assistant Commissioner Frank Prendergast, the management team in Melbourne and the Welfare Officers to provide support for the officer’s family and colleagues.
‘The circumstances around this tragic incident are being investigated by Victoria Police, who will prepare a report for the coroner,’ Commissioner Colvin said.
‘Our colleague’s death is not believed to be suspicious,’ commissioner Colvin said.
‘Out of respect for the family, friends, and the colonial process, we will not be providing any further comments.’
The death is the second at the building this year, after a female officer died in February also from a non-suspicious shooting.
A report is being prepared for the coroner examining the circumstances around the death
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten urges anyone who may be mentally unwell to seek help
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten says he has spoken with the AFP and passed on his sympathies to the family.
‘Anyone, anywhere, who’s mentally unwell and doing it hard or you know someone who is, please go and get help,’ he told reporters at a press conference in Melbourne.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.