A 36-year-old man who fled from police over outstanding alleged family violence matters has died at a shopping centre in Melbourne. 

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said officers attended a home near the Lynbrook Village shopping centre about 1.10pm today to arrest the man.

“Upon their arrival at the address, the male has noticed the police arrive and he has jumped off a balcony of the apartment he was staying at into the shopping centre grounds and he has run into the shopping centre,” he told reporters this afternoon.

Officers followed the man into the shopping centre but lost sight of him.

During a search inside a public toilet block, officers noticed men’s footwear inside a female cubicle and forced the door open.

Thomas said the man had injured himself with what appeared to be an edged weapon but was threatening officers so he was tasered.

“He was still holding that weapon and a taser was deployed at that point in time and he was taken into custody,” he said.

Thomas said first aid was provided to the man and paramedics were called and took over.

The man was taken to the rear of the shopping centre and was awaiting a helicopter to arrive when he was declared dead.

A critical incident has been declared and homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances around his death, which will receive oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

The coroner has been notified about his death.

Thomas said the man was known to police and had no fixed address. The apartment he was at is believed to belong to the man’s friend.

Police are appealing to members of the community who were at the shopping centre around 1.10pm today to come forward.

Anyone with dash cam footage is also urged to contact police. 

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