A man has been shot dead by police following an almost six-hour siege on the state’s Central Coast.
A critical incident has been declared and an investigation by homicide detectives is under way, with oversight from the state’s police watchdog.
NSW Police said in a statement the man tried to burn officers with an aerosol can and was attempting to stab tactical police when he was shot.
The incident began about 3.30pm on Wednesday when police went to a home on Wells Street, Springfield for a welfare check.
Police said a 49-year-old man at the home, armed with a screwdriver and other sharp objects, refused to co-operate with officers at the scene. A perimeter was set up and specialist officers called in.
The siege lasted several hours until police said the man tried to burn an officer by lighting an aerosol can at about 9.25pm, and tactical officers forced entry to the home.
Police said officers shot the man after he “stabbed at an officer multiple times” with a sharp object.
The man died at the scene. One officer received a minor injury.
Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of the incident, with their investigation to be reviewed by the NSW Police Professional Standards Command with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
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