Tragedy Strikes: Man Dies After Confrontation with Police Outside 7-Eleven

Luke Briggs, 35, Passes Away Following Hoppers Crossing Incident; Family Seeks Justice and Answers

The family of a tradesman who was left in a coma after a confrontation with police outside a convenience store in Hoppers Crossing has provided a heartbreaking update as they seek answers following his death.

Luke Briggs, 35, encountered two police officers in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne’s west, early on July 15. Despite interviews with the officers involved, no charges have been filed following the incident, which left Briggs critically injured and hospitalized at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. His life support was turned off around 5:30 PM last night, and he has since passed away.

The police attempted to speak with Briggs about a traffic issue when he allegedly became aggressive and struggled with them. During the altercation, Briggs became unresponsive, prompting paramedics to be called. He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with a severe brain injury and was expected to pass away. Doctors informed the family that Briggs went without oxygen for about 17 minutes following the arrest.

Victoria Police announced on Monday that the sergeant and constable involved have been suspended. Briggs’ family has expressed their profound grief and suffering.

“Seeing Luke in such a fragile state is soul-crushing, and our thoughts are solely focused on spending our last few precious days with him,” the family stated to The Age before his passing. “At this stage, our priority is Luke’s wellbeing. We are cooperating with 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 enlisted Jeremy King of Robinson Gill as their lawyer, who has highlighted numerous unanswered questions regarding the investigation.

The two officers from the North-West Metro region were interviewed on Friday and suspended three days later.

“The investigation by the homicide squad into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a man in Hoppers Crossing on July 15 remains ongoing,” a spokeswoman said.

The Professional Standards Command is overseeing the investigation, as is standard when someone is seriously injured in police custody.

“A male constable and male sergeant from North-West Metro region have been suspended while the investigation is carried out,” the spokeswoman said, without explaining why it took a week for action to be taken against the officers.

“Something has gone terribly wrong here. A young man should not end up in the intensive care unit, clinging to life after an interaction with police,” Mr. King told The Age.