Police have opened fire on a wanted man inside a Townsville shopping centre.

Reports of a man in his 20s at Willows Shopping Centre on Carthew St in Thuringowa Central came through shortly after 3.15pm on Sunday.

Police attended the centre and an officer fired their gun at the man, who the Courier Mail described as being wanted for “alleged serious offences”.

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Medical assistance was given by police before the man was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a life-threatening condition.

“There is no ongoing threat to the public,” police said.

The shooting is being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area around Carthew St has been urged to contact police.

The shooting was the second involving police in the North Queensland city in just over a week.

Eight days ago, an officer shot dead a man armed with a knife in Townsville’s North Ward.