Queensland police say man stole three cars and pointed a loaded rifle at officers before he was fatally shot

The 36-year-old Cairns man was shot dead by police while stopped on the Bruce Highway near Colosseum on Monday morning

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Queensland police believe a man they shot and killed in a standoff outside Gladstone yesterday had stolen three vehicles before pointing a stolen loaded rifle at officers.

Det Insp Darrin Shadlow told media on Tuesday a police patrol came across the 36-year-old Cairns man at about 11.50am on Monday, while he was travelling in a stolen ute on the Bruce Highway near Colosseum, north of Brisbane.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup