Taser Fails, Shots Fired: 60-Second Mayfield Standoff Ends in Police Shooting
A tense sixty-second confrontation at a Mayfield unit block, captured on police body-worn video, has been detailed in Newcastle court documents after the accused man pleaded guilty to assault charges.
The Rapid Escalation at the Unit Door
On the afternoon of February 15 last year, police were called to a Mayfield unit where Aaron Searle, 47, was allegedly refusing to leave his former partner's residence. Court documents reveal Searle had been inhaling butane gas prior to the officers' arrival.
Within moments of police reaching the front door, Searle appeared in the doorway armed with a tactical shovel. He began waving the implement aggressively at the two officers without speaking, though police reported hearing him "growling".
Taser Deployment Proves Ineffective
As Searle swung the tactical shovel toward the officers at head height, one policeman drew his Taser and pointed it at the 47-year-old. The officer discharged the Taser twice at Searle, but neither shot had any discernible effect on the man.
The officer then attempted to subdue Searle by holding the Taser while repeatedly punching him in the head. This physical intervention also failed to have any impact on Searle's aggressive behaviour.
Deadly Force Deployed in Confined Space
Now backed against the screen door of a neighbouring unit, the policeman drew his service weapon and fired a single shot, striking Searle in the hip. A female police officer at the scene also drew her firearm and discharged one round toward Searle.
Searle fell to the ground outside the unit, where police disarmed him of the tactical shovel. A subsequent expert examination would determine the shovel was "capable of inflicting serious and lethal injury to a person."
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
The two officers immediately administered first aid, applying pressure to Searle's gunshot wounds while calling for paramedics. Searle sustained two wounds—one to his lower abdomen and another to his right hip—with court documents suggesting the second may have been an exit wound rather than a separate gunshot.
After undergoing surgery and spending more than a week recovering at John Hunter Hospital, Searle faced multiple charges including attempted murder of a police officer.
Guilty Plea to Reduced Charges
Appearing via audio-visual link from Long Bay Correctional Centre on crutches, Searle pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court to two offences:
- Assaulting police
- Using an offensive weapon to commit an indictable offence
The Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to withdraw five other charges, including the attempted murder count. This followed reports in December that prosecutors were preparing to drop the attempted murder charge as part of negotiations with the defence team.
Disputed Assessment of Police Actions
While a statement of agreed facts presented in court states that "the use of force by both police officers was reasonable in all the circumstances," defence lawyers highlighted this section as remaining in dispute. The matter will proceed to sentencing in Newcastle District Court on February 26.
The entire incident—from when Searle first appeared at the doorway to when he was shot—lasted approximately one minute, illustrating how rapidly such confrontations can escalate despite attempts at less-lethal intervention.
