A 29-year-old father of two young daughters was fatally shot by a police officer in the car park of a busy shopping centre in Western Sydney.
According to NSW Police, the incident occurred after the man’s wife was involved in a melee with another group of women near the movie theatre at Westfield Mount Druitt.
The Incident Unfolds
Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said that on Saturday at 3:15pm, two officers responded to the altercation, which involved six women in their mid-20s.
The women, who didn’t know each other, had no gang affiliations, and the reason behind the fight is still under investigation.
The 29-year-old man drove to the scene, where he was spoken to by officers. He then returned to his car and retrieved a large machete, which was at least 50 centimetres long.
Police Intervention
The man walked towards the group of women, refusing to drop the machete despite police orders. One officer fired his service revolver, striking the man.
Despite police rendering first aid, the man died at the scene. The car park was immediately locked down, but the incident did not spill over into the shopping centre.
Investigation Underway
A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is leading the investigation into the fatal shooting.
Assistant Commissioner Wood praised the officers’ actions, saying they were “brave” and had intervened to protect the women involved in the melee.
The incident is still under investigation, and police are asking witnesses to come forward.