Police have shot two people, including an innocent bystander, in Queensland’s far north.

Officers opened fire after responding to reports a man was armed with knives on Benjamina St in Mount Sheridan, a suburb of Cairns, on Saturday afternoon.

A woman also suffered a gunshot wound.

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Witnesses described hearing several gun shots ring out just after 5pm on Saturday.

Both the man and the woman have been taken to Cairns Hospital.

Police remain on the scene. Credit: 7NEWS

“There is currently no threat to the public, and further information will be provided when available,” police said in a statement.

It comes less than 24 hours after a police officer was shot and the alleged offender found dead on the Fraser Coast in Queensland.