TWO MEN and a woman have been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer who is fighting for his life after being shot in the face at a Gold Coast tavern overnight.

The two men, aged 37 and 38, and a 37-year-old woman, all from Nerang, have been charged with the attempted murder of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, armed robbery and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson would not confirm whether there was a gunfight between police and the alleged armed robbers at the Pacific Pines Tavern.

“The ballistics experts are still at the scene. It’s quite obvious there has been shots fired by the offenders in this matters,” he said.

“We’re still conducting ballistics checks and investigations into any shots fired by police officers.”

He told reporters the three suspects were known to police.

Two staff and four patrons held hostage during the hold-up were shaken psychologically but did not require hospital treatment, he said.

“They were held for a short period of time,” he said.

Mr Wilson described Sen Con Leeding as a family man and a talented triathlete.

Earlier today Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson told a 4am press conference that Senior Constable Damian Leeding, of Coomera CIB, was in a critical condition after being hit by a shotgun blast when he and another officer responded to the 000 call about an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern.

Sen Const Leeding, 35, is married to a police officer, Sonya, and the couple have two young children.

He and the other detective – both plain-clothes police from the Coomera CIB – were the first to respond to the call.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the gunman who shot Gold Coast detective Damian Leeding had taken hostages.

“He’s critical, he’s in intensive care and his family are with him at the Gold Coast Hospital at Southport at the moment,”  Mr Atkinson told radio station 4BC today.

Mr Atkinson did not say how many others may have been involved.

Earlier reports had indicated up to seven suspects.

Mr Atkinson said this morning the robbery occurred around closing time and there were hostages taken. He did not confirm if the triple O call came from one of the hostages.

Mr Atkinson said Sen Const Leeding, whom he described as a “fine officer”, had acted with “great courage”.

He said the detective’s partner had also acted with bravery and courage.

“Police, when they’re called to an armed robbery in progress, have no choice but to go and attend,” Mr Atkinson said.

“They have no idea at all what they’re going to confront when they arrive.

“Last night the worst situation that you could possibly imagine for us has occurred.

“Police know within the nature of work they do the ever present threat and risk of danger; you can’t provide for the safety and security of people without putting your own life at risk.”

A major incident room has been established at Coomera Police District Headquarters. Investigators from outside the Coomera CIB will conduct the investigation.

Sen Const Leeding graduated as a police officer in 2003.

He has spent his career at different Gold Coast police stations and went to Coomera CIB when it was created about 18 months ago.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the next 24 hours would be critical to Sen Const Leeding’s recovery.

He said now was not the time to play the blame game with the State Government.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sonya and the family at this time,” he said.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says the next 24 hours will be critical to Sen Const Leeding’s recovery.

Earlier reports said police attended Pacific Pines Tavern after a call was made to triple-0 that three people armed with guns were threatening customers and staff about 10.30pm.

It is believed Sen Const Leeding was shot while police approached the building.

It is believed the robbers fled into nearby parkland. Two suspects were apprehended by police.