Man shot dead by NSW police after car crash and alleged gun threat
Police in regional New South Wales shot dead a man after he allegedly pointed a loaded rifle at officers who approached his crashed car. The man died at the scene despite attempts at first aid.
A man was fatally shot by police in regional New South Wales, Australia, on Sunday afternoon after allegedly aiming a loaded firearm at officers who had responded to a car crash.
The incident occurred on a road roughly 84km north of Yass, after a Chrysler station wagon crashed into a tree at around 2.50pm. Officers arriving at the scene found the driver appearing to be unconscious inside the vehicle. Before police arrived, they had received reports that the man had a firearm with him and was not responding to members of the public who had stopped to help, prompting the call to police. Paramedics were also present at the scene.
According to assistant commissioner Stephen Hegarty, officers approached the crashed car to check on the man's welfare and provide medical assistance if needed. When they tried to speak with him, he did not respond. The man then picked up the firearm and pointed it directly at one of the officers. At that point, police opened fire, striking the man multiple times.
Hegarty confirmed the weapon was loaded and said officers were in close proximity to the vehicle at the time, as they had been attempting to reach the man to render aid. Despite efforts by police and paramedics to administer first aid, the man died at the scene.
The driver's identity has not yet been formally confirmed, but he is believed to be a 45-year-old man known to police, who had previously faced firearm-related charges. A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway. The matter will also be subject to an independent review by the professional standards command, which is overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
