A 34-year-old man was shot dead by police after a stand-off at a New South Wales (NSW) medical clinic. Officers were called to a medical clinic on Junction Street in Nowra, on the state’s south coast, after a patient reportedly pulled out a firearm about 1pm on Jan. 10. The man eventually came out of the clinic about 90 minutes later, confronting officers and brandishing what police believe was a semi-automatic Glock pistol at them. He was shot before being treated by on-hand paramedics and police, but died at the scene. It is not yet known for certain whether the man fired shots at police or staff.
The man is yet to be formally identified, but is believed by police to be a local south coast resident. He does not have an extensive criminal record and is known to police largely through previous medical and psychological episodes that required intervention. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter said the man was known to the medical centre and staff. Staff contacted police who established a perimeter around the building and started negotiations with the man. After nearly two hours, the man emerged from the clinic and continued to engage with officers before brandishing the firearm at them, police said. Multiple officers on scene fired shots at the man, according to police.
The next of kin of this man have been informed and obviously it is a tragic time and a tragic event for all his family and all of his friends,” Mr. Cotter said. “Police respond to protect life. They responded today in absolute good faith.” A critical incident team from the police homicide squad is investigating the circumstances leading to the death, which will also be subject to an independent review.