Grafton man Mark Skinner, 32, shot by NSW Police after alleged knife threats

The family of a northern NSW man who allegedly charged police with a knife before he was shot multiple times say he’s been “going through a lot lately” as his identity is revealed.

The family of a man who allegedly charged police with a knife before he was shot multiple times say he’s been “going through a lot lately”.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Clarence Valley man Mark Skinner, 32, was known to police and had a criminal history before the standoff with two officers near McKittrick Park in South Grafton on Wednesday.

Police were called to the scene on Ryan St shortly after 6.30am after concerns were raised over Skinner’s welfare.

Northern Region commander and Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said on arrival, Coffs-Clarence Police District officers attempted to engage with Skinner before he allegedly produced a knife and “approached” before he was “shot a number of times”.

The officers rendered first aid until the arrival of paramedics. Skinner was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital where as of Thursday, he remains in a serious but stable condition.

A critical incident team from Richmond Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, with the investigation subject to an independent review.

Mark Skinner. Picture: Facebook.

A source close to the family told this publication Skinner had a history of methamphetamine use and had recently been incarcerated.

To date, Skinner has not been charged in relation to Wednesday’s incident.

When contacted, Skinner’s mother Donna Tribes declined to make a comment.

Skinner was shot “a number of times” by police on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook.

On Facebook on Thursday, family member Kalirah Rose Skinner said: “No1 (sic) knows full story on wtf (sic) happened. He was going through a lot lately so leave ya (sic) comment n (sic) opinions to yourself.”

Police at the scene near McKittrick Park on Ryan St, Grafton on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, where a man was shot by officers after allegedly making threats with a knife. Picture: Toni Moon.

“His family is reading this yet again yous (sic) wouldn’t like it if it was your SON/BROTHER/COUSIN,” she wrote.

A number of further enquiries have been lodged with NSW Police, however, they did not respond by deadline.

‘Shot four times by cops’: Alleged knifeman known to authorities

Wednesday, December 12, 2024: A man shot “a number of times” by officers at a northern NSW sporting ground after he allegedly made threats with a knife was known to authorities, police say.

At about 6.30am on Wednesday, Coffs-Clarence Police were called to McKittrick Park on Ryan St, South Grafton, after concerns were raised for a man’s welfare.

On arrival, officers tried to engage with the 32-year-old man. It is alleged he then made threats with the blade before he was shot.

Police at the scene near McKittrick Park on Ryan St, Grafton on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, where a man was shot by officers after allegedly making threats with a knife. Picture: Toni Moon.

The officers immediately rendered first aid until the arrival of paramedics, a police spokesman said.

He was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable but serious condition.

The police officers were not physically injured.

A passer-by at the scene, who asked not to be named, told this publication the man was “shot four times”.

Later on Wednesday, Northern Region Commander and Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told media the man was “shot a number of times” by officers after he “made threats and approached them”.

“He fell to the ground and police rendered first aid until paramedics arrived,” he said.

“The man was known to police”.

When asked if the man charged at police, Waddell said the “specifics” would be pored over in the investigation.

Two officers responded to the incident, he said.

Waddell said bodyworn video would be reviewed as part of the investigation and that officers had concerns about “self-harm” when attending the call out.

Acting Inspector Nick Dixon coordinating the investigation. Picture: Toni Moon.

A critical incident team from Richmond Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The investigation is also subject to an independent review.

Originally published as Grafton man Mark Skinner, 32, shot by NSW Police after alleged knife threats