Video shared on social media shows the moment police fired four shots at a man outside a florist shop in Sydney.
Police were called to the city's main station following reports of an armed robbery at around 6:45pm on Wednesday.
The suspect, who witnesses say armed himself with scissors, was confronted by police before being shot dead.
Acting Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton says an investigation is underway.
"A critical incident team from the homicide squad will now investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident including the discharge of police firearms during the confrontation with the man."
The owner of the florist shop, where the incident occured, has told the media the man didn't ask for money.
Seventy-six year-old Emmanuel Theoharis says the man came into his store held a sharp piece of broken glass to his throat.
Mr Theoharis says he was able to break free and run away, and the man then armed himself with a pair of scissors.
The florist says he is shaken but glad to be alive.
"I have some cuts on my hand when I pushed the bottle out of my neck. I just feel sorry for him. But I feel happy for myself, I'm still here."
Channel 7 news spoke to witnesses shortly after the incident.
"I heard screaming, I heard 'Put it down, put it down', and I walked to here and then I think there were three or four gun shots and that was pretty much it."
"But what happened in the time of 20 seconds, one of the police men went inside the shop, and maybe he was about to grab him and the guy came out, like running. And two of the men shot him - twice I guess- and he was straight onto the ground."
The police investigation will be subject to an independent review.
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