Tactical police have shot man during siege at a Sydney caravan park

NSW Police have shot a man during a siege at a southwestern Sydney caravan park after a welfare check turned into a siege situation.

A man is fighting for his life after being shot by police when he allegedly rushed at officers with a knife during a siege in a caravan park in southwestern Sydney.

Police were called to the Poplar Tourist Park in Elderslie, in the Macarthur region, about 12.15pm on Thursday.

NSW Police said in a statement the man was “armed with a knife and made threats to self-harm.”

“Specialist resources attended to assist, and negotiators attempted to speak to the man who refused to co-operate,” the statement said.

“Just before 3.30pm, officers attached to the Tactical Operations Unit gained entry to the premises and the armed man rushed at officers with the knife.

“Police discharged a taser and less than lethal tactical rounds which were ineffective before the man was shot.”

Police have shot a 52-year-old man after he allegedly lunged at officers with a knife. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Police had locked down the area and refused to let locals back into the park as the situation developed.

In footage obtained by 10 News, an officer in tactical gear can be seen pointing a rifle at somebody off-screen before three loud, sharp cracks are heard.

The 52-year-old man was immediately treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics on scene and taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.

He was reportedly shot at least three times, once in the arm, once in the leg and once in the abdomen.

An investigation is underway after police shot an allegedly armed man at a caravan park in southwestern Sydney. NSW Picture: Google

Police stopped residents of the normally peaceful Poplar Tourist Park from entering during the siege. Picture: Supplied

A witness at the scene said he was addressed by two “heavily fortified police officers”.

“There was about eight of them all up and they weren’t messing around. They had the full riot gear on, ready to go.”

A critical incident team from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).

Originally published as Tactical police have shot man during siege at a Sydney caravan park