Western Australian man shot dead by police after stun gun 'proved ineffective'

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/27/western-australian-man-shot-dead-by-police-after-stun-gun-proved-ineffective

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West Australian police have shot dead a man holding a knife, saying he was threatening two officers even after a stun gun was fired at him.

Acting deputy commissioner Paul Steel said he was confident the two police officers involved – a male sergeant and a female constable – acted within protocols and their training.

“Based on the information I have to date there is nothing that causes me concern,” he told reporters.

Police said the man, who is yet to be formally identified, was ordered to drop the knife he was holding in a street at Wannanup, south-west of Perth.

He did but then picked up a larger knife and approached the officers, police said. The officers fired a stun gun at him, but that proved ineffective, according to police. He was then shot once with a firearm.

“The shot was fired by the officer who was directly at threat,” Steel said.

The officers had been called to Rodd Street shortly after midnight on Sunday after reports of a man acting suspiciously.

The officers administered CPR before the man was taken to Peel health campus, where he later died.

Steel said the officers were “holding it together” in what was a tragic incident for them as well as the victim’s family.

The officers were expected to remain off operational duty until they were found to be physically and psychologically ready to return to work, he said.

Homicide squad and internal affairs are investigating the incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.