Man shot as last resort, NSW police say

Officers resorted to their firearms after trying other methods to calm an irate
grandfather who died after being shot by police on Christmas day.

The man, aged in his 40s, was shot three times during the incident which occurred
inside a home at Lisarow on the NSW Central Coast about 4.30pm (AEDT) on Friday.
He died a short time later at Gosford Hospital.
Two male senior constables and a female probationary constable were called to a
neighbourhood dispute at the address.
"They entered a dwelling and were confronted by the male, allegedly in an agitated
state, armed with a knife," Acting Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie told
reporters at Gosford on Saturday.
"The three police officers at the premises used a variety of tactics to try and
defuse the situation but ultimately a number of shots were fired by the police
officers occasioning three wounds to the male person."
The incident lasted for only "minutes" and officers immediately rendered first aid
to the man until paramedics arrived, Mr McKechnie said.
"We are investigating the full circumstances of the matter but I can say at this
stage that police used a range of tactics in terms of their verbal communications,
their appointments, including OC (capsicum) spray and baton and subsequently their
firearms," he said.
Mr McKechnie could not confirm how many shots were fired in total but said only the
two male senior constables discharged their weapons.
"One of the officers has been trained in Tasers but he's a highway officer, he works
as a single unit and therefore doesn't carry a Taser," he said.
Reports that the man was shot in front of his children have not been confirmed but
Mr McKechnie said there were other people in the house at the time of the shooting.
The man, whose details are yet to be formally released, has been described by a
neighbour as helpful and "would do anything for anybody".
However, Mr McKechnie said a member of the public called police on Friday as a
result of the man's behaviour.
He declined to confirm if the man was known to police.
The NSW Police homicide squad will conduct an inquiry into the matter and prepare a
report for the coroner.
"There was an escalation of force ... tactics were deployed, obviously the officers
at that point felt that the only option available to them was to use their firearms
to protect themselves, which they did," Mr McKechnie said.