Central Station shooting: Police right to open fire, says witness

THE flower store owner who had a bottle held to his throat moments before police killed his attacker at Central Station says police were right to shoot.

Mr Theo-Haris opens up about the terrifying incident.

• PEAK-HOUR PANIC AS POLICE SHOOT MAN DEAD
• FLORIST RECALLS SHOOTING: ‘POLICE HAD NO CHOICE’

THE flower store owner who had a bottle held to his throat moments before police killed his attacker says police were right to shoot.

Emmanuel Theo-Haris, 73, told The Daily Telegraph he was forced to fight off an Asian man — who has today been identified as 30-year-old Danukul Mokmool — after he was grabbed from behind about 6.30pm last night at his shop at Central Station.

Emmanuel Theo-Haris, the owner of the Eddy Avenue Florist at Central Station, said police were right to shoot a man who held a bottle to his throat. Picture: John Grainger

Graphic video from the scene shows officers — both uniformed and plain clothed — surrounding the florist shop, ordering the man out.

He can then be seen charging out of the shop before four gunshots ring out and the man drops.

“I was just trying to serve someone and they put their arm around my neck and I thought it was a joke but then I saw a broken bottle,” Mr Theo-Haris said.

Police shot the man after he ran at them with a pair of scissors.

“I used my thumb to push him away and then I ran and someone called the police.

“He was yelling for someone to call the police.

“He stole scissors and trashed everything.

Witnesses said police fired four or five times.

“Police did the right thing ... they had no choice.”

He moved to Australia from the Greek Islands 51 years ago.

“Of course I would come back to work, why not?” he said. “What else would I do?”

Mr Theo-Haris said he is just glad to be alive.

Forensic crews worked through the night following the fatal shooting. Picture: Bill Hearne

“I feel sorry for the young man but I could have been killed so I am also happy. I have lots of friends here so I wanted to come back into work.”

Police have launched a critical incident investigation in relation to the fatal shooting.