The man accused of murdering British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung was Tasered and sprayed with pepper spray after lashing out at Queensland police and biting an officer.
Townsville Regional Crime Co-ordinator Ray Rohweder told reporters that Smail Ayad, a 29-year-old from France, became violent against officers on Tuesday night as they drove him from hospital to the Townsville Police Station. He was expected to be formally questioned today.
Superintendent Rohweder said it took half a dozen officers to subdue the Ayad. "As a result of that police received some injuries including cuts and abrasions but also a bite to the leg."
Supt Rohweder said police were yet to determine the motive behind the attack but said it didn't appear to be religiously motivated.
"From what we have been able to establish at this stage there is absolutely no indication of any form of radicalisation or any political ideology behind this," he said.
He confirmed police were investigating whether Ayad had a romantic interest in Ms Ayliffe-Chung. However, there was definitely no romantic connection between the pair from her point of view. "There is no doubt about that."
Supt Rohweder said police expected to lay charges against him today.
Ayad had undergone a psychiatric assessment, but Supt Rohweder would not divulge what that revealed. Forensic procedures had also been performed on the suspect.
Ms Ayliffe Chung was less than a week into a three-month stint of farming work to extend her one-year visa when she was brutally attacked at the hostel at Home Hill, south of Townsville.
About 30 people witnessed Tuesday's assault. British man Thomas Jackson (30) remained in a critical condition following the attack at Shelley's Backpackers. He sustained his injuries while attempting to help Ms Ayliffe-Chung.
Another man was stabbed in the leg and a dog at the property was slaughtered.
"There is no doubt that Mr Jackson's attempts to render aid to Mia and his subsequent actions were absolutely fantastic," Supt Rohweder said.
Mr Jackson's father is en route to Australia.
Ms Ayliffe-Chung's mother, Rosie Ayliffe, said her daughter was "an amazing young woman with an adventurous spirit".
"Not only was she kind and funny, she was clever, sassy with a sense of fun," she said in a statement.
"Mia was full of the kind of open-minded compassion for life that you don't see that often."
