Police shot dead a man who confronted them with a gun during an incident on the Coromandel yesterday. The Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiation Team were called after police were alerted to a "significant threat of violence" about midday in Thames.
Shocked residents told of efforts to save the injured 33-year-old
Police shot dead a man who confronted them with a gun during an incident on the Coromandel yesterday.
The Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiation Team were called after police were alerted to a "significant threat of violence" about midday in Thames.
"The man confronted police with a firearmand was subsequently shot," said Detective Inspector Chris Page, Waikato District Manager of Criminal Investigations.
"This is a tragic incident and we extend our sincere sympathies to the family of the man involved."
Thames residents Graeme and Glenys Humphrey were travelling past the scene of the shooting. Glenys told the Herald on Sunday: "There was the police, the guns and the dogs. There was a guy lying there and it seems they were doing CPR on him."
The scene of a fatal police shooting in Thames. Photo / Daniel Hines
The man died in Thames Hospital Photo / Steven McNicholl
Graeme added that the couple at first thought it was an exercise before realising how serious it was.
Fellow Thames resident Sara Fitz-Gerald had been visiting her mother's house, about 200m from the scene.
"We were standing outside and we heard two gunshots then we heard yelling 'stand down, stand down'. We ran to the other side of the house and I saw a police van shoot over to the other side of the road. It was pretty scary."
Page said that police had administered first aid, but the man died a short time later in the Thames Hospital.
An investigation was underway and police had advised the coroner and the Independent Police Conduct Authority. "There will be a thorough investigation into what took place, which will include examining the actions of police staff and the circumstances surrounding the incident," said Page.
