Man shot dead in Springfield, Central Coast after siege
A man has been shot dead by police after a nearly six-hour siege on the state’s Central Coast.
A critical incident has been declared and the investigation is ongoing by homicide detectives under the supervision of the state police watchdog.
The man tried to burn officers with a spray can and was shot when he tried to stab a tactical officer, NSW Police said in a statement.
The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when police went to a home on Wells Street, Springfield, for a welfare check.
Police said a 49-year-old man at the home, armed with a screwdriver and other sharp objects, refused to cooperate with officers at the scene. A perimeter was established and specialist police were called.
The siege lasted several hours until police say the man tried to burn a police officer by firing a spray can around 9:25 p.m., forcing tactical officers to enter the home.
Police said officers shot the man after he “stabbed an officer multiple times” with a sharp object.
The man died at the scene. One police officer was slightly injured.
Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of the incident; Their investigation will be reviewed by the NSW Police Professional Standards Command and will be under the supervision of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Waddell is expected to give more details at a press conference on Thursday morning.
More to come
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Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
