An inquest has heard that a Christchurch man was planning a mass casualty shooting less than two weeks after the terror attacks at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in March 2019.
Artemiy Dubovskiy, who was known as Troy, is suspected of taking his own life in the early hours of March 27, 2019, following a stand-off with police. His death occurred during a period of heightened national security, as the country remained on high alert after the mosque attacks that killed 51 Muslim worshippers.
Evidence of Planned Violence
Coroner Heather McKenzie was told that a search of the 54-year-old’s home on March 26 revealed a loaded semi-automatic rifle, a pistol, and a substantial quantity of ammunition. Officers also discovered items carrying Nazi symbolism, including an SS uniform.
Former senior sergeant Anton Ten-Hove testified that officers had been briefed that Dubovskiy possessed high-power firearms and that a plan for a mass casualty shooting was “close to being put into action.” Ten-Hove further noted that some firearms were found with writing that linked back to previous mass shootings.
Inspector Steven Mather, a commander at the scene, stated that police were informed Dubovskiy was a former member of special forces in Russia and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Police Stand-off
The events culminated after a senior sergeant spotted Dubovskiy’s Mitsubishi Pajero on March 26. Following a period of being followed, Dubovskiy pulled into a no exit street in the Shirley/Burwood area, leading to a stand-off.
Counsel assisting the Coroner, Josh Shaw, detailed a nearly two-hour phone conversation between Dubovskiy and a police negotiator. During the call, Dubovskiy reportedly stated that it would be best for police to kill him because he “wasn’t going to jail.” He also questioned how police had identified him as a threat, remarking, “I haven’t posted online, I’m not as stupid as Tarrant.”
The situation escalated after the negotiator’s call cut out, possibly due to a low phone battery. After a Defence Force light vehicle moved near the Pajero, Dubovskiy was seen to slump. Tactical officers deployed tear gas and extracted him from the vehicle with the assistance of a police dog. Despite medical attention from paramedics and a helicopter medic, Dubovskiy was declared dead at the scene after 4 a.m.
Conflicting Perspectives
The inquest has highlighted a divide between official police accounts and the views of Dubovskiy’s family. Josh Shaw noted that while the response must be viewed in the context of the mosque attacks—which saw the national terror alert increased to “high” for the first time in the nation’s history—the family has questioned if police used a “heavy-handed approach” that may have delayed medical treatment.
A family member, whose name was suppressed, stated they were unaware of any terrorist sympathies, describing Dubovskiy as a helpful person. They expressed belief that the family could have convinced him to surrender and noted that the family had donated money to the victims of the mosque shootings.
Pip Currie, a lawyer for the police, stated that Dubovskiy’s death “is not the outcome police wanted.”
Potential Implications
As the inquest continues, the proceedings may further examine the proportionality of the tactical response used during the stand-off. The findings could lead to a clearer understanding of how police manage high-risk individuals during periods of national terror alerts and may provide a definitive conclusion regarding the circumstances of Dubovskiy’s death.