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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/oct/02/two-reported-dead-in-shooting-outside-nsw-police-headquarters-in-parramatta-rolling-updates
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| Parramatta shooting: NSW police confirm employee shot dead along with gunman – as it happened | Parramatta shooting: NSW police confirm employee shot dead along with gunman – as it happened |
| (4 months later) | |
| 12.43pm BST | |
| 12:43 | |
| We are going to wrap up our live coverage of this incident here. But before we do, this is what we now know about the fatal shooting: | We are going to wrap up our live coverage of this incident here. But before we do, this is what we now know about the fatal shooting: |
| Thanks for following. | Thanks for following. |
| 12.23pm BST | |
| 12:23 | |
| Scipione said it was possible the gunman hung around after the unsworn officer was killed because he wanted to commit “suicide by cop”. | Scipione said it was possible the gunman hung around after the unsworn officer was killed because he wanted to commit “suicide by cop”. |
| He had this to say when asked about the emotional toll of losing an officer: | He had this to say when asked about the emotional toll of losing an officer: |
| Look, there’s no way you can describe the feeling that comes with being told you have an officer that’s been killed. Doesn’t matter whether they’re sworn or un-sworn. | Look, there’s no way you can describe the feeling that comes with being told you have an officer that’s been killed. Doesn’t matter whether they’re sworn or un-sworn. |
| This man was simply leaving work this afternoon and he was gunned down. He was murdered on this street, this very street. | This man was simply leaving work this afternoon and he was gunned down. He was murdered on this street, this very street. |
| There is no worse feeling as a commissioner. We’ve just been through Police Remembrance Day, only Tuesday of this week, and here we are on Friday having to deal with this. | There is no worse feeling as a commissioner. We’ve just been through Police Remembrance Day, only Tuesday of this week, and here we are on Friday having to deal with this. |
| He continued: | He continued: |
| Let me assure you anyone that thinks that they’re in the business of injuring or in fact killing an officer of the NSW police force needs to understand they will be dealt with with the full force of the law. | Let me assure you anyone that thinks that they’re in the business of injuring or in fact killing an officer of the NSW police force needs to understand they will be dealt with with the full force of the law. |
| 12.19pm BST | |
| 12:19 | |
| At this early stage, Scipione said, it appears that the incident was one lone gunman, acting in isolation, and there’s nothing to suggest that anyone else might be involved. But there’s also nothing to rule it out because as yet they have not been able to identify the gunman. He provides a bit more clarity on the gunman’s attire, which has been the subject of a number of news reports. It was, “a long pair of long trousers and a flowing top”. | At this early stage, Scipione said, it appears that the incident was one lone gunman, acting in isolation, and there’s nothing to suggest that anyone else might be involved. But there’s also nothing to rule it out because as yet they have not been able to identify the gunman. He provides a bit more clarity on the gunman’s attire, which has been the subject of a number of news reports. It was, “a long pair of long trousers and a flowing top”. |
| Scipione also provided some clarification on the assertion that the NSW Police employee, who was an unsworn police officer, was “deliberately targeted”. | Scipione also provided some clarification on the assertion that the NSW Police employee, who was an unsworn police officer, was “deliberately targeted”. |
| Reporter: What you said about deliberately targeted, what leads you to say that? | Reporter: What you said about deliberately targeted, what leads you to say that? |
| Scipione: The footage that I’ve viewed shows that this particular man was certainly targeted. | Scipione: The footage that I’ve viewed shows that this particular man was certainly targeted. |
| Reporter: And can you confirm that he was shot at point-blank range? | Reporter: And can you confirm that he was shot at point-blank range? |
| Scipione: Certainly it was very close range. | Scipione: Certainly it was very close range. |
| 12.14pm BST | |
| 12:14 | |
| Scipione said police are “keeping an open mind” about the motive behind the attack, but that NSW police had re-circulated its safety warnings to police officers this afternoon. That’s the warning that was strengthened in light of heightened “terrorism chatter” last year. | Scipione said police are “keeping an open mind” about the motive behind the attack, but that NSW police had re-circulated its safety warnings to police officers this afternoon. That’s the warning that was strengthened in light of heightened “terrorism chatter” last year. |
| He declined to comment on reports that there had been an increase in that kind of chatter in recent days. | He declined to comment on reports that there had been an increase in that kind of chatter in recent days. |
| At this stage we’ve got nothing to link this event to any terrorist-related activity, but we could not say that that wasn’t the case. | At this stage we’ve got nothing to link this event to any terrorist-related activity, but we could not say that that wasn’t the case. |
| So clearly, you would understand, we have officers from within the counter-terrorism command working alongside homicide, but this is a homicide investigation led by homicide, and we will be certainly reporting to the coroner and at this stage we want to stay right there until we get some further information. | So clearly, you would understand, we have officers from within the counter-terrorism command working alongside homicide, but this is a homicide investigation led by homicide, and we will be certainly reporting to the coroner and at this stage we want to stay right there until we get some further information. |
| Scipione said there was no threat to the broader NSW community. | Scipione said there was no threat to the broader NSW community. |
| 12.08pm BST | |
| 12:08 | |
| Scipione said the NSW police employee appeared to have been deliberately targeted by the gunman. | Scipione said the NSW police employee appeared to have been deliberately targeted by the gunman. |
| An employee of the NSW police force has been callously murdered here today. This is a very sobering time for us, and I have viewed a number of pieces of footage, I can tell you that this was a brutal crime. It was a terrible crime. | An employee of the NSW police force has been callously murdered here today. This is a very sobering time for us, and I have viewed a number of pieces of footage, I can tell you that this was a brutal crime. It was a terrible crime. |
| I can also tell you that the police officers exhibited enormous bravery. Those special constables who responded were brave, and they were very professional. | I can also tell you that the police officers exhibited enormous bravery. Those special constables who responded were brave, and they were very professional. |
| 12.05pm BST | |
| 12:05 | |
| Scipione says that, “obviously this is very distressing for us all.” | Scipione says that, “obviously this is very distressing for us all.” |
| Currently we’re attempting to identify a man who was seen to approach the victim and discharge one single shot. Subsequently, the assailant remained in the street here in Charles Street before he fired several further shots at a special constable. | Currently we’re attempting to identify a man who was seen to approach the victim and discharge one single shot. Subsequently, the assailant remained in the street here in Charles Street before he fired several further shots at a special constable. |
| A number of special constables have come out of the building and as they’ve emerged they’ve come under fire. In the exchange that followed the gunman was shot and killed. | A number of special constables have come out of the building and as they’ve emerged they’ve come under fire. In the exchange that followed the gunman was shot and killed. |
| 11.59am BST | |
| 11:59 | |
| Andrew Scipione, the commissioner of police for NSW, is addressing the media near the Parramatta police complex. | Andrew Scipione, the commissioner of police for NSW, is addressing the media near the Parramatta police complex. |
| I can confirm that a NSW police force civilian employee has been shot dead… he was simply leaving work | I can confirm that a NSW police force civilian employee has been shot dead… he was simply leaving work |
| His relatives have not yet been informed. | His relatives have not yet been informed. |
| 11.53am BST | |
| 11:53 | |
| 11.50am BST | |
| 11:50 | |
| We are expecting to hear from the commissioner of police, Andrew Scipione, in the next few minutes. In the mean time, Monica Tan reports that police are conducting a line search of Charles Street. | We are expecting to hear from the commissioner of police, Andrew Scipione, in the next few minutes. In the mean time, Monica Tan reports that police are conducting a line search of Charles Street. |
| She writes: | She writes: |
| The riot police are doing a very close inspection of Charles street not far from the crime scene. There are around 12 officers standing in a row walking in unison with their torches to the ground. They appear to be searching for something and occasionally pause when one officer crouches to take a closer look. | The riot police are doing a very close inspection of Charles street not far from the crime scene. There are around 12 officers standing in a row walking in unison with their torches to the ground. They appear to be searching for something and occasionally pause when one officer crouches to take a closer look. |
| Channel 9’s Airlie Walsh caught it on video: | Channel 9’s Airlie Walsh caught it on video: |
| Police conduct line search on Charles St, Parramatta. #9News pic.twitter.com/UAtMIkiMu8 | Police conduct line search on Charles St, Parramatta. #9News pic.twitter.com/UAtMIkiMu8 |
| 11.44am BST | |
| 11:44 | |
| Another eyewitness has told reporters that he heard seven or eight shots, in two bursts. | Another eyewitness has told reporters that he heard seven or eight shots, in two bursts. |
| There was four shots fired first and there was a silence of 15, 20 seconds, and then there were another four shots fired, I think. | There was four shots fired first and there was a silence of 15, 20 seconds, and then there were another four shots fired, I think. |
| 11.32am BST | |
| 11:32 | |
| There’s still a bit of activity behind the police cordon. | There’s still a bit of activity behind the police cordon. |
| An ambulance has just driven away. Two police vans remain. I've seen least two police dogs. #ParramattaShooting pic.twitter.com/4hxQMmiau9 | An ambulance has just driven away. Two police vans remain. I've seen least two police dogs. #ParramattaShooting pic.twitter.com/4hxQMmiau9 |
| 11.23am BST | |
| 11:23 | |
| Andrew Scipione, the NSW commissioner of police, is reportedly at the scene at Parramatta and being briefed to address the media. | Andrew Scipione, the NSW commissioner of police, is reportedly at the scene at Parramatta and being briefed to address the media. |
| Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione is at the scene of the #Parramatta shooting. Expected to address media shortly. @9NewsSyd | Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione is at the scene of the #Parramatta shooting. Expected to address media shortly. @9NewsSyd |
| Commissioner Andrew Scipione has all three deputies with him and is currently being briefed on #Parramatta shooting. @9NewsSyd | Commissioner Andrew Scipione has all three deputies with him and is currently being briefed on #Parramatta shooting. @9NewsSyd |
| 11.12am BST | |
| 11:12 | |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| While we wait for NSW Police to address the media, which I am told will happen “shortly”, here’s a quick recap of what has been confirmed so far. | While we wait for NSW Police to address the media, which I am told will happen “shortly”, here’s a quick recap of what has been confirmed so far. |
| Obviously police are being rather circumspect. That’s the standard response whenever an officer is involved (and I’m using involved in the vaguest sense because that police statement doesn’t give me much choice) in a fatal shooting. | Obviously police are being rather circumspect. That’s the standard response whenever an officer is involved (and I’m using involved in the vaguest sense because that police statement doesn’t give me much choice) in a fatal shooting. |
| I won’t go into reports about what the man identified by eyewitnesses as carrying a gun was wearing or what he looked like. | I won’t go into reports about what the man identified by eyewitnesses as carrying a gun was wearing or what he looked like. |
| 10.46am BST | |
| 10:46 | |
| Reinforcements have arrived in the form of about a dozen public order and riot squad police officers. | Reinforcements have arrived in the form of about a dozen public order and riot squad police officers. |
| 10.44am BST | |
| 10:44 | |
| More video footage has emerged of the moments just after the shooting. This video was taken from a building opposite the police headquarters. | More video footage has emerged of the moments just after the shooting. This video was taken from a building opposite the police headquarters. |
| People who can be heard talking on the video sound pretty shocked. | People who can be heard talking on the video sound pretty shocked. |
| “Is he dead?” | “Is he dead?” |
| “He is now.” | “He is now.” |
| 10.35am BST | |
| 10:35 | |
| My colleague, Monica Tan, has spoken to a couple that live on Charles Street but were, when she spoke to them, unable to return to their home. She has filed this update: | My colleague, Monica Tan, has spoken to a couple that live on Charles Street but were, when she spoke to them, unable to return to their home. She has filed this update: |
| Tony Hong and his wife Miffy live in the building opposite the police station. With the street cordoned off they are currently unable to return to their home. Their 8 month old baby and Miffy’s mother are trapped inside, with the street cordoned off by police. | Tony Hong and his wife Miffy live in the building opposite the police station. With the street cordoned off they are currently unable to return to their home. Their 8 month old baby and Miffy’s mother are trapped inside, with the street cordoned off by police. |
| “We don’t know what’s happening, so we’re pretty worried. We’ve been waiting for more than an hour,” Tony said. | “We don’t know what’s happening, so we’re pretty worried. We’ve been waiting for more than an hour,” Tony said. |
| Miffy Hong told Monica that her mother heard what sounded to be five or six shots, which were so loud that they woke the baby. | Miffy Hong told Monica that her mother heard what sounded to be five or six shots, which were so loud that they woke the baby. |
| 10.20am BST | |
| 10:20 | |
| This was the scene at Parramatta earlier this evening. The footage is from the Channel 7 News police helicopter. | This was the scene at Parramatta earlier this evening. The footage is from the Channel 7 News police helicopter. |
| 10.17am BST | |
| 10:17 | |
| This is Dennis Entriken, one of the parents waiting to pick up their child from a childcare centre that remains on lock-down inside the police cordon. | This is Dennis Entriken, one of the parents waiting to pick up their child from a childcare centre that remains on lock-down inside the police cordon. |
| Updated | |
| at 10.29am BST | |
| 10.11am BST | |
| 10:11 | |
| Monica Tan has sent through this report from Charles Street: | Monica Tan has sent through this report from Charles Street: |
| I‘m standing about 100m away from the police building. A small section of the street between Macquarie and Hassall on Charles Streets has been cordoned off and is being manned by a dozen police. I watched them remove at least one body covered in a white sheet although witnesses have said they saw two bodies. | I‘m standing about 100m away from the police building. A small section of the street between Macquarie and Hassall on Charles Streets has been cordoned off and is being manned by a dozen police. I watched them remove at least one body covered in a white sheet although witnesses have said they saw two bodies. |
| There is a small group of residents who have gathered, unable to return home. Many of them have loved ones and family members in the building. | There is a small group of residents who have gathered, unable to return home. Many of them have loved ones and family members in the building. |
| Next to the police station is a childcare centre, where children and staff remain trapped inside. Dennis Entriken and his wife have a 3 and a 1/2 year old daughter in the centre and have been waiting since 5 o’clock after learning about the incident. They are feeling worried and frustrated. | Next to the police station is a childcare centre, where children and staff remain trapped inside. Dennis Entriken and his wife have a 3 and a 1/2 year old daughter in the centre and have been waiting since 5 o’clock after learning about the incident. They are feeling worried and frustrated. |
| “We don’t know whether they were inside or outside playing when it happened, or what they saw. We just know they’re safe,” he said. | “We don’t know whether they were inside or outside playing when it happened, or what they saw. We just know they’re safe,” he said. |
| 10.04am BST | |
| 10:04 | |
| Parallels are, of course, being drawn between this shooting and the mass shooting at Umpqua community college in Roseburg, Oregon, on Thursday, where a 26-year-old man killed as many as nine people before being killed himself. | Parallels are, of course, being drawn between this shooting and the mass shooting at Umpqua community college in Roseburg, Oregon, on Thursday, where a 26-year-old man killed as many as nine people before being killed himself. |
| You have probably heard Barrack Obama’s powerful speech, following the shooting, which praised Australia and the UK as “countries like ours” that have managed to introduce gun laws to reduce the number of mass shootings. | You have probably heard Barrack Obama’s powerful speech, following the shooting, which praised Australia and the UK as “countries like ours” that have managed to introduce gun laws to reduce the number of mass shootings. |
| And, if you’re on the internet, you have probably also seen people linking Obama’s speech to the incident in Parramatta, to argue that Australia’s gun laws don’t work. It’s worth remembering that there have not been any mass shootings (that’s three or more killed) in a public place since the restrictive gun laws were introduced, following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. | And, if you’re on the internet, you have probably also seen people linking Obama’s speech to the incident in Parramatta, to argue that Australia’s gun laws don’t work. It’s worth remembering that there have not been any mass shootings (that’s three or more killed) in a public place since the restrictive gun laws were introduced, following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. |