4.15pm: Man shot and killed by police at Quakers Hill police station, 12-year-old child witnessed the violence
A man in his 40s has been shot dead by police after walking into Quakers Hill police station armed with a knife and threatening officers.
The man, who is yet to be identified, walked into the police station on Lalor Road around 10.40am on Tuesday and was shot in the shoulder after a confrontation with a sergeant.
A boy, believed to be aged 12, witnessed the fatal shooting inside the station.
The boy was in the foyer of the Lalor Road station when a man carrying a large bladed knife came into the foyer and started screaming incomprehensibly, Fairfax Media understands.
CPR was performed on the man before paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.
A large knife, believed to be belonging to the man, was found at the police station. The incident is now under investigation by the homicide squad, with the station still cordoned off at 3pm. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The incident forced the closure of Lalor Road from the police station to the intersection of Hambledon Road, forcing several bus routes to be diverted away from the area.
Speaking to the media, Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said the man’s motives are yet to be identified but links to terrorism have been ruled out.
‘‘Why the confrontation [occurred], at this stage, we just don’t know,’’ he said.
‘‘We have no idea of his motive for coming to the police station.’’
Police would not confirm in there were any civilians inside the police station at the time of the shooting.
One Quakers Hill resident, who was skateboarding along Lalor Road when the shooting happened, said he heard two or three quick gun shots coming from the police station.
No police officers were injured during the incident, but the sergeant involved, who has 24 years experience in the police force, is ‘‘very distressed’’, Assisant Commissioner Clifford said.
The shooting forced the lock down of two childcare centres for four hours, which are both across the road from the police station.
Children at the Kerry Jones Childcare Centre and Quakers Hill Pre School were all safe, coming out of lock down at 2.30pm
The CareFlight helicopter was also on the scene, landing in a nearby park around 11am, however it was not used.
2.40pm: Buses back to normal.
Buses in Quakers Hill are no longer diverting away from Lalor Park Road.
1.45pm: Press conference video.
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford spoke to the media a short time ago. Here is what he had to say.
1.40pm: Preschools are still in lockdown.
Blacktown City Council confirmed the two preschools in the vicinity of Quakers Hill Police Station are still in lockdown after the shooting earlier today.
The Kerry Jones Childcare Centre and the Quakers Hill Pre School are across Lalor Road from Quakers Hill Police station.
A council spokesman said Lalor Park Road looks like it will remain closed for a long period of time.
“The parents can pick up kids as normal at the end of the day. We are waiting to hear from police about continued operation,’’ the spokesman said.
1.10pm: Police said the man who was shot is unidentified, there doesn’t appear to be terrorism links and the officer who fired is distressed.
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford, said that the man shot by police at Quakers Hill police station is still unidentified. Police are trying to identify him and find relatives to speak to. For that reason no description or identifying traits were given to the public.
The Region Commander of the North West Metropolitan Region spoke to the media a short time ago. He said at 10.40am the man “we believe to be in his 40s came to the Quakers Hill Police Station.”
“There was a confrontation in the foyer with a sergeant, a sergeant of 24 years experience. There was a shot fired by the sergeant that stuck the man. He was rendered assistance but passed away a short time later.”
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said they didn’t know who the dead man was and ruled out terrorism influence, but did say there was a knife involved.
“At this stage its very early in the investigation.” he said. “I just wanted to give an update and perhaps allay some fears. At this stage there’s no indication it was terrorist related.”
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said he wasn’t sure whether the man had asked to be shot and said medical assistance was rendered by police and ambulance but was unable to prevent the man dying.
He said there were “a number of people – police and public I understand - in the immediate area” of the shooting.
1pm: Suggested “suicide by cop”.
Robert Ovadia of Seven News in Sydney tweeted that he believed the shooting at Quakers Hill was a “suicide by cop”. That being a person antagonising a police officer with the intention of being killed. This information is not confirmed. The police are holding a press conference shortly.
12.55pm: Information from inside the station.
A relative of a person who works at the police station told 2GB that a man allegedly walked into the station with a knife and started threatening officers, before police shot him.
12.25pm: Police announce press conference.
Police announced they will media at 1pm following the shooting and death of a man at Quakers Hill Police Station.
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford, Region Commander of the North West Metropolitan Region will address the media.
12.15pm: Critical incident investigation.
Police have announced a critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a man during a confrontation with police at Quakers Hill Police station.
Emergency services were called to Quakers Hill Police Station about 10.40am today a man had suffered a gunshot wound.
Police said the shooting “followed a confrontation during which a police firearm was discharged. The man later died.”
A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
The police statement said no officers were injured and a brief is being prepared on behalf of the Coroner.
12.15pm: Childcare centres in lockdown.
Two childcare centres operated by Blacktown Council have been placed in lockdown following the shooting.
The Kerry Jones Childcare Centre and the Quakers Hill Pre School are across Lalor Road from Quakers Hill Police station.
“Both centres immediately implemented standard and well-rehearsed lockdown procedures,” said the acting Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson.
“All children and staff are safe – the incident occurred across the street from both child care facilities and is entirely unrelated to either childcare centre.
“I commend the staff at both centres for their professionalism and preparedness, particularly as it was their first day back in operation at the beginning of their year.”
12.10pm: Police update on shooting.
Our reporter has spoken to police who confirmed the shots fired were from police officers. There are unconfirmed reports that the person shot is dead. The police aren’t currently commenting on that information.
The man was reportedly wielding a knife.
The police will hold an official press conference at 12.30.
12pm: Roads closed, emergency serivces.
Our reporter, Andrew Brown, at the scene said the road was closed from the police station on Lalor Road right back to Hambeldon Road up to the police station.
One person was riding his skateboard around the street. He reportedly heard one or two shots and then road in to have a look. He wasn't definite about how many but said it was a quick, bang-bang
Mr Brown saw at least two or three ambulances at the station there. A CareFlight helicopter has landed in in the park just down the road, Sherwood Park.
He saw riot squad car pull up. I also saw some ambulance crew walking off. But there isn't much we can see or hear.
A crowd has gathered at the edge of the police tape to have a look at what is happening.
11am: Man shot after threats.
Police have shot a man after he allegedly threatened officers with a knife at Quakers Hill police station in Sydney's north-west, Fairfax Media understands.
Paramedics were called to the police station on Lalor Road following reports of the shooting just after 10.30am on Tuesday.
The man is believed to have been shot in the shoulder and seriously injured. A witness said bystanders were performing CPR on him before paramedics arrived.
A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed a police operation was under way, but said no further details were available.
The CareFlight helicopter landed near the shooting scene just after 11am, while a PolAir police helicopter was also circling the area.
A relative of a person who works at the police station told 2GB that a man allegedly walked into the station with a knife and started threatening officers, before police shot him.
Police have blocked off Lalor Road, and motorists are being turned around near the police station.
