By Perry Duffin, Sally Rawsthorne and Riley Walter
Two people have been shot by NSW Police in western Sydney after they allegedly drove at officers in a car stolen from the home of Penrith MP Karen McKeown.
One man is in a critical condition and the other is stable after the shooting at a unit complex on Wentworthville’s Lane Street on Friday afternoon. Both were taken to Westmead Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds, one in an ambulance with a police escort and the second without.
A critical incident was declared after NSW Police officers shot two men.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
The car, a white Mercedes-Benz SUV owned by McKeown’s husband, was reported stolen in the early hours of Friday morning.
The police officers had followed the car’s tracking device to the Wentworthville address before it was allegedly driven at them. They weren’t physically injured.
The car allegedly driven at officers was stolen from Penrith MP Karen McKeown’s home.Credit: Louise Kennerley
A critical incident team made up of homicide squad detectives has been established to investigate the shooting.
The driver of the car, aged 26, was shot in the neck, while the passenger, aged 34, was shot in the thigh. One of the men is believed to have a connection to the complex where the incident occurred.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan said the car was driven at officers after they discovered it inside a locked garage in an underground car park.
“As they’ve opened that garage door, the vehicle has immediately accelerated towards them. As a result, police withdrew their firearms and were required to fire a number of shots,” he said.
Dunstan said five officers, including a sergeant and a probationary constable, were involved in the incident, with three firing their guns. All officers are being supported by NSW Police and the state’s police union, he said.
He said the officers’ body worn cameras were believed to have been activated at the time of the shooting.
One resident on the suburban street told the Herald they heard gunshots followed by “lots of commotion”.
“The police were here very quickly,” they said.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, McKeown, who was at home at the time of the alleged break-in, said she was “shaken from the events” but unharmed.
“Last night my home was broken into and my husband’s car stolen. I reported this to police,” the state Labor MP said.
“While I am shaken from the events, thankfully I am unharmed. I want to thank NSW Police, in particular the local area command at both Penrith and Cumberland police for their prompt response. Political leaders often praise police for their bravery. Today, I have had a first-hand experience of this. I won’t be making any further comments at this time.”
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