Paramedics were called to the scene after a man shot at police at Isabella Plains on Saturday night (22 November). Photo: ACT Policing.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to suicide.
In a traumatic incident from southern Canberra on the weekend, a man assaulted his partner, then opened fire at the police officers called to the scene, before he was found dead.
The officers had exchanged fire with the man before the 71-year-old was discovered deceased with likely self-inflicted injuries.
Police were alerted after he seriously assaulted his partner, sending her to hospital for treatment, on Saturday (22 November).
When officers went to arrest him at his home on Galloway Street in Isabella Plains at around 8 pm that night, he started shooting at them.
The officers returned fire before the man barricaded himself inside a shed on the property.
“Those officers attempted to speak to the man, but he refused to engage with police. Nearby residents were evacuated by police, and the street was cordoned off,” a police spokesperson said.
Tactical response, bomb squad and negotiators were called to the scene. But when police entered the shed just before midnight, the man was found dead with suspected self-inflicted injuries.
“An autopsy will be conducted at a later time to determine the cause of death,” the police spokesperson said.
No officers were injured during the incident.
“This matter is being treated as a critical incident and the circumstances are being investigated by ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations and AFP Professional Standards,” the spokesperson said.
“A coroner has also been notified and is overseeing the investigation.”
Speaking on Sunday (23 November), ACT Policing’s Acting Commander Joseph Thorn agreed that his officers arrived to face a confronting scene that night.
“It’s traumatic for everyone involved: our members, but also other members in the immediate vicinity and anyone else who’s been involved in it,” he said.
“Our members are regularly putting themselves in harm’s way for the safety of the community, so it’s a difficult situation for all involved.”
No police officers were injured, nor were any police vehicles damaged, during the incident at Isabella Plains on Saturday. Photo: ACT Policing.
Acting Commander Thorn said the man’s partner sustained serious injuries in the attack, which were bad enough for her to be taken to hospital under observation.
“Our police were attending to arrest the individual in question, and that’s when the events that I’ve just described to you played out,” he said.
“Police are aware of the individual, but he hasn’t come to our attention in recent times until last night when the family violence matter was reported to us, so it’s been a significant period of time between our last interaction with the individual.”
Acting Commander Thorn said there was “limited dialogue” between the man and negotiators. Police entered the shed when that dialogue was “completely lost”.
“We’ve got the firearms involved and will conduct the appropriate examinations on all of those,” he said.
No police officers or vehicles were hit by bullets.
“We’re just conducting investigations now as to where all the projectiles landed,” he said.
“That will make part of our investigation going forward.”
While police returned fire, the acting commander said the critical incident investigation would examine how many rounds they fired.
He also said the man had suggested there might be explosives at the scene, which is why the bomb squad attended as a safety precaution.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.
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