YARRA JUNCTION, VIC – A police officer fatally shot a man who was assaulting his sister at a property in the regional Victorian town of Yarra Junction, north-east of Melbourne, on Wednesday evening.
Officer’s Actions Praised After Traumatic Incident Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett commended the officers involved, describing their actions as “brave and courageous” in a highly dynamic and distressing situation.
According to authorities, the officers responded to reports of a man assaulting a woman at an address on the Warburton Highway around 5:30 pm.
Upon arrival, they found the 45-year-old man strangling his 48-year-old sister in a bedroom.
The woman’s limb had been partially severed, and she was unconscious.
The officers, aware of the brother’s history of mental health conditions and possession of a samurai sword, called on him to stop.
When he failed to comply, they deployed a taser three times.
However, the man continued to resist, leading one officer to fire multiple shots from a firearm.
The officers then rendered first aid to the woman while awaiting the arrival of paramedics.
Unfortunately, the man died at the scene, and the woman was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
The incident is under investigation by the Homicide Squad and Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for a fatal police shooting.
State Coroner John Cain visited the crime scene and will prepare a report.
Family and domestic violence support services are available through the following numbers: `1800 Respect` national helpline: `1800 737 732` Women’s Crisis Line: `1800 811 811` Men’s Referral Service: `1300 766 491` Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): `131 114` Relationships Australia: `1300 364 277` Additional state-specific services are also available.