A man has died after being shot twice in the chest by a police officer after allegedly threatening people with a knife in central Launceston.
The man, referred to by police as a ‘person of interest’, suffered critical injuries during the confrontation on St John Street on Tuesday morning.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after 10am after receiving an emergency call from the public about an armed man threatening people.
Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said the man ignored repeated warnings by police to disarm, forcing officers to use capsicum spray.
‘OC spray was deployed, however the man continued to advance towards police. A number of shots were fired by two attending police officers – with two shots hitting the armed man in the chest,’ he said.
The man was immediately given first aid at the scene and rushed to Launceston General Hospital in a critical condition. He died a short time later.
A police officer sustained a bullet injury and is being treated at the same hospital.
Tasmanian Police are now in the process of notifying the man’s next of kin.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner, who has been notified and is attending the scene. The Integrity Commission has also been notified.
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon the man’s death was a ‘tragic outcome that no one wanted’.
‘Lethal force is the very last option for a police officer,’ he said.
‘It is an extremely difficult time for the officers involved and their families, and we have put support plans in place for them,’ he said.
‘Policing can be a challenging and dangerous profession, and we are ensuring the officers are being provided with wellbeing support.’
‘I would certainly like to thank the local community for their assistance as we carried out our investigation and I will certainly appreciate their patience as we work our way through this serious incident that has occurred.’
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said the man was known to police.
He said he is aware of a video circulating on social media, but cannot confirm the number of gunshots involved in the shooting.
‘I am aware of the existence of that video, but that is something subject to investigation to determine the number of shots, he said.
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said the motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage.
‘This will form part of the investigation for the coroner as our professional standards investigators work for the coroner and they work their way through the investigation to determine the circumstances, what has occurred, why has occurred, how has occurred, and of that nature,’ Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.
‘What I can say based on initial information is that the man who is now unfortunately deceased went to a business premises.’
‘It is alleged that he was threatening people at that business premises, but has continued out into the street and police have become involved and have had to engage the man, because clearly we cannot have people wandering around the community armed with knives threatening people,’ Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.
He said the man was armed with a ‘large knife’.
‘He has made threats towards people in the community, threats towards the police, and the police have been called, and they have engaged.’
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said six police officers arrived on the scene and one was injured in the shooting.
‘One of our members have received a bullet injury, that has been to the cheek, they are in the LGH (Launceston General Hospital) at the moment undergoing treatment, that injury is not life-threatening,’ Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said support will be offered to the staff of the business threatened by the man.
‘We will certainly do what we can to support those staff and make sure they are OK,’ he said.
A crime scene has been established to allow investigations to be undertaken, and St Johns Street between William and Cimitiere Streets and Cimitiere Street between Charles and St Johns Streets remain closed until further notice.
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar urged anyone with information to contact Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au