A man has been shot by police in Newcastle after allegedly threatening officers with a knife. The incident occurred on Honeysuckle Drive around 8:30am when the Northern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team attempted to arrest a 36-year-old man wanted on five outstanding warrants.
Officers forced entry into a unit and were confronted by the man, who was allegedly armed with a knife. Police deployed two tasers, but both were ineffective. The man continued to threaten officers before a police officer shot him in the shoulder.
The man was taken under police guard to John Hunter Hospital. Northern Region Commander Shane Cribb confirmed one shot was fired, hitting the man in the shoulder. He is currently in stable condition and undergoing further medical reviews.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Cribb declared a critical incident investigation, which will be conducted impartially and overseen by the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Support is being offered to the officers involved in the traumatic event.
Cribb emphasized that police do not come to work expecting to use their firearms, but the situation escalated. The investigation will review the circumstances of the shooting.
