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Key Points
- Police said a Taser had been deployed against the man but that it was ineffective.
- An investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
A tense and tragic incident unfolded in Sydney’s Potts Point neighborhood when a knife-wielding man was fatally shot by police officers. The encounter took place at an inner-city apartment complex, where the man allegedly assaulted two women and posed a threat to law enforcement.
According to police reports, the man entered the building on Tuesday morning around 10:50 a.m., targeting the women in separate units within the complex. The attack prompted a swift response from the authorities.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to subdue the man with a Taser, but the effort proved unsuccessful. The situation escalated as the man turned his aggression towards the officers.
In a bid to neutralize the threat, an officer discharged a single shot, striking the attacker. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. At this time, his identity has not been disclosed, as shared by NSW Police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna.
The man, who was not immediately identified, died at the scene, NSW Police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna said.
The women, aged 48 and 56, suffered facial injuries and were taken to hospital.
McKenna would not speculate on why the stun gun was ineffective.
“Tasers have been an effective part of our arsenal,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“They are a less-lethal option, but like anything, they’re not always successful.
“[Police] don’t come to work to be confronted by this type of thing or take a life — that’s the last thing we want to do.”
He underscored that officers had been responding to the women in distress when the situation escalated quickly.
A crime scene has been set up, with officers using sheets to cover the dead man, who is believed to be aged in his late 30s to early 40s.
The street was cordoned off with a helicopter flying above the scene and up to 20 riot cars, police vehicles and ambulances descending on the block.
The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
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