Brett Andrew

DETAILS OF DEATH

At around 10.44pm on Wednesday 18 July, Constable Brett Irwin and Constable John Edwards of the Ferny Grove Police Station attended a home in Keperra for the purpose of executing a Bail Act Warrant on Craig Anthony Semyraha.Initially both Constables went to the front of the front of the house where Constable Irwin knocked on the door. There was no answer, however the officers suspected that someone was inside. Constable Irwin went to the rear of the house whilst Edwards remained at the front. Constable Edwards then heard a scuffle at the rear of the house and Irwin shouting “gun”. Edwards then heard a gunshot and Irwin calling “I’ve been shot, I’ve been shot”. Constable Edwards called out to Irwin but got no reply and since he had no cover, he withdrew to safety and called for urgent assistance.A negotiator arrived and successfully talked Semyraha into letting his de facto wife and two children leave the house. However then Semyraha failed to surrender and Sert entered the house. The body of Craig Semyraha was found. He had shot himself in the head and died later in hospital. The body of Constable Irwin was found in the front yard where he had managed to stumble after being shot in the chest.Constable Brett irwin died at the scene.