Darcy Norton named as man dead in Mawson Lakes police stand-off

Police had to taser a sword-wielding man three times after he broke into a Mawson Lakes apartment in “extremely horrific” scenes, they say, only hours after he was released from hospital.

A man is dead after barricading himself inside a northern suburbs apartment block and threatening a woman with a sword has been identified as Darcy Norton, 44, from Globe Derby.

Norton died of self-inflicted wounds after police received frantic reports he had broken into a Mawson Lakes apartment and was brandishing a sword just before midnight on Sunday.

A 41-year-old female Mawson Lakes resident, who was known to the man, was left pleading for help as she locked herself inside another room, police said.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said officers attempted to enter the Mawson Lakes property, but the sword-wielding man had barricaded the door.

Darcy Norton. Picture: Facebook

They attempted to negotiate with the man, deploying tasers and pepper spray both of which were unsuccessful.

A third taser deployment was successful and police were able to bust their way into the unit.

When inside, police discovered “significant amounts of blood” from Norton, who had what police believe to be self-inflicted lacerations to his arms and legs.

Officers attempted first aid before paramedics arrived to take him back to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he later died.

Mr Duval said the incident had been declared a death in custody and would now be subject to a Coronial investigation and Commissioner’s Inquiry.

Police confirmed on Monday that Norton had left from Royal Adelaide Hospital just hours before the “extremely traumatic” stand-off after reports he had been threatening people at a Lightsview address about 5.30am Sunday.

The Advertiser understands Norton went to the Royal Adelaide Hospital voluntarily by ambulance, but was not admitted.

He later left the facility voluntarily.

The Advertiser understands he was not under any treatment order at the time.

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A person was treated by paramedics at the Metro Parade, Mawson Lakes, apartment then taken to hospital, where they later died. Picture: Dean Martin

Detectives outside the block of flats. Picture: Dean Martin

Detectives were called to the block just before midnight on Sunday. Picture: Dean Martin

Both investigations will examine the circumstances around Norton’s death, including his interactions with police early on Sunday morning.

Mr Duval said, although the pair was known to each other, the incident was not being treated as domestic violence.

“This is an extremely traumatic situation for (the victim) and we are very thankful that she has survived this incident,” Mr Duval said.

“We are providing support for the victim and for our police, who in this case have been confronted with something very disturbing.

A forensic officer on the balcony. Picture: Dean Martin

Detectives at the block of flats on Metro Parade, Mawson Lakes. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Duval said he could not provide comment as to whether the incident was mental health related while investigations were ongoing.

“We were called because the man was in an agitated state, police remained with him for a period of time whilst the ambulance was called and then he was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital,”

Mr Duval said it was “too early to comment” on whether drugs were involved.

A friend arrived at the home on Monday morning and said he was a friend of Norton.

“He comes to see his missus, his ex-missus, his ex-girlfriend lived there,” he said.

“He lived with my family.

“It’s devastating … I don’t even know the circumstances.”

“I was on Facebook this morning … I was on Facebook and read there was a body found at Mawson Lakes and my brother called me and found out.”

He said it had been a “heart breaking” day.

Norton’s social media reveals he once owned a harness racing horse.

Four days before he died, he posted a recommendation for a Mawson Lakes restaurant, Nik’s BBQ on the Lake.

“Highly recommended for anyone craving a good meal or a yiros snack at Mawson lakes,” he wrote.

Kira Glintz, who lives in the Mawson Lakes apartment building, said she heard yelling and screams late Sunday night.

“(We) heard a bit of screaming and banging, wasn’t really sure what was going on …. I didn’t really think much about it and then decided to go to bed and saw the flashing lights … it was all happening and there was cops everywhere,” she said.

“It’s full on, I’ve not see this many cops and things around, it was a lot last night to see it all happening, I didn’t really go to bed, it was pretty scary.

“I saw one police show up and then they just kept coming in and it was like, this is serious.”

George Georgopoulos, who also lives in the building, said he was shocked to hear someone had died after an incident in the building.

“I quickly came down and opened the door for the police officers but other than that I didn’t pay too much attention to what was going on.

“I thought maybe someone had a little bit of an accident, accidents happen.”

“It’s a shocking thing to hear people passing away.”

Central Adelaide Local Health Network Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kathryn Zeitz, said they would “be conducting a clinical review into the patient’s attendance at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.”