Key Points
- Investigations have been launched into both incidents.
- Both incidents came hours after a separate non-fatal incident in Newcastle.
Note: This article references domestic violence.
Two men armed with knives have been shot dead by police during incidents in Sydney and Brisbane.
The fatal incidents within 40 minutes of each other came hours after a separate third incident, in which officers in Newcastle fired on a man wanted by police on Tuesday morning.
In Sydney, police fatally shot a man after he allegedly assaulted two women in an apartment building in Potts Point at around 10.50am. Police deployed a Taser against the man, but it was ineffective.
The alleged attacker then confronted police before an officer fired a single shot, hitting the man.
The man, who was not immediately identified, died at the scene, NSW Police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna said.
The women, aged 48 and 56, suffered facial injuries and were taken to hospital.
McKenna would not speculate on why the stun gun was ineffective.
"Tasers have been an effective part of our arsenal," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"They are a less-lethal option, but like anything, they're not always successful.
"[Police] don't come to work to be confronted by this type of thing or take a life — that's the last thing we want to do."
He underscored that officers had been responding to the women in distress when the situation escalated quickly.
A crime scene has been set up, with officers using sheets to cover the dead man, who is believed to be aged in his late 30s to early 40s.
The street was cordoned off with a helicopter flying above the scene and up to 20 riot cars, police vehicles and ambulances descending on the block.
Forty minutes later, police responding to a welfare check request shot dead a man in his Tingalpa home in Brisbane's east.
Officers had attempted to negotiate with the 21-year-old man but he made threats with a knife towards officers and was shot, police said.
He died at the scene with one officer suffering a minor injury
"These incidents are often dynamic ... and split-second decisions need to be made," acting chief superintendent Heath McQueen told reporters.
"I am confident that the use of force is appropriate."
The matter is also being investigated with oversight from Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission.
In a third incident, a man was shot as police from a high-risk domestic violence offender squad tried to arrest him in inner-city Newcastle.
The officers forced entry into a unit at 8.30am and found the man — wanted on five warrants — armed with an edged weapon, police said.
Two stun guns were deployed but both were ineffective.
The man, 36, allegedly continued threatening officers before a police officer shot him in the shoulder, police said.
He survived and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Both NSW incidents are being investigated by out-of-area police before being reviewed by the internal police investigative unit. Each investigation is being overseen by the state police watchdog.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
The Men's Referral Service, operated by No to Violence, can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
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