A man has died after being shot twice in the chest by a police officer after allegedly threatening people with a knife in central Launceston.
The man, referred to by police as a ‘person of interest’, suffered critical injuries during the confrontation on St John Street on Tuesday morning.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after 10am after receiving an emergency call from the public about an armed man threatening people.
Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said the man ignored repeated warnings by police to disarm, forcing officers to use capsicum spray.
‘OC spray was deployed, however the man continued to advance towards police. A number of shots were fired by two attending police officers – with two shots hitting the armed man in the chest,’ he said.
The man was immediately given first aid at the scene and rushed to Launceston General Hospital in a critical condition. He died a short time later.
A police officer sustained a bullet injury and is being treated at the same hospital.
Tasmanian Police are now in the process of notifying the man’s next of kin.
A police officer and ‘person of interest’ were injured in a ‘serious incident’ in Launceston on Tuesday morning (pictured is Tasmania Police Station)
A report will be prepared for the Coroner, who has been notified and is attending the scene. The Integrity Commission has also been notified.
Assistant Commissioner Bodnar told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon the man’s death was a ‘tragic outcome that no one wanted’.
‘It is an extremely difficult time for the officers involved and their families, and we have put support plans in place for them,’ he said.
‘Policing can be a challenging and dangerous profession, and we are ensuring the officers are being provided with wellbeing support.’
A crime scene has been established to allow investigations to be undertaken, and St Johns Street between William and Cimitiere Streets and Cimitiere Street between Charles and St Johns Streets remain closed until further notice.
