Officer shot in face at robbery

Photo / Thinkstock

Gold Coast policeman Damien Leeding was kept alive by fellow police officers after being shot in the face at close range with a shotgun.

Senior Constable Leeding's female plain clothes partner was back on the scene helping to piece together the events that led to the shooting early yesterday during an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern.

The 34-year-old plains clothes officer is in a critical condition in Gold Coast Hospital surrounded by his family, including his police officer wife and two young children.

Police charged two men, aged 37 and 38, and a 37-year-old woman with attempted murder, armed robbery and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the outlook for Leeding was grim. "We have grave concerns for Damian."

Leeding, a policeman for eight years, and his partner were the first to arrive at the callout for an armed robbery with hostages shortly before 1am NZT. He was shot as he approached the tavern.

The dog squad tracked down a man and woman soon after the shooting while a second man was detained later.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson praised the first aid efforts of Leeding's patrol partner and fellow officers who kept him alive.

The shooting comes after a call for a specialist armed robbery squad on the Gold Coast following numerous hold-ups in the area this year. There have been 62 armed robberies this year, police statistics until the end of April show.

- AAP, AFP