A knife-wielding man has been shot dead in Sydney’s southwest after he allegedly attempted to stab a police officer, who narrowly avoided “catastrophic injuries”.
Emergency services were called to Bird Walton Avenue in Middleton Grange, about 40km from the CBD, about 11pm on Saturday following reports a man was armed with a knife.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, assistant commissioner Brett McFadden said the man had been walking in the street and allegedly threw a knife at a car with civilians inside – not thought to be known by him – who then contacted police.
Police said the 34-year-old allegedly confronted and threatened officers on arrival. He allegedly struck a 33-year-old senior constable with the knife through the open window of a police vehicle on two occasions, but the officer – who was in the drivers seat – was protected by his operational vest.
A Taser was used but proved ineffective, police said. McFadden alleged the man “rushed towards the officer that had discharged the Taser”, before another officer shot the man twice in the torso.
Police said CPR was administered but at 11.41pm, he died at the scene.
The police officer was not injured, but McFadden said the damage to his vest was “centimetres to hitting another part of his body and causing catastrophic injuries.”
“I viewed body-worn video of the incident and am well satisfied that the incident took place in a matter of seconds,” McFadden said. “Tactical options were used and the transition from a Taser to a firearm occurred in a matter of seconds.”
A critical incident team from the state crime command’s homicide squad will investigate the circumstances of the shooting. The probe is subject to an independent review.
The investigation will be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and is reportable to the state coroner. The five police officers who responded have not been interviewed yet, McFadden said, but he anticipates that will take place “over the next couple of days.”
McFadden said the man lived a short distance from the site and is known to police. The man’s mindset would be subject to investigation, McFadden said.
The lead investigator had spoken to the man’s family to assist with inquiries, police said.