Officer critical after child sex abuse arrest stabbing
A SENIOR detective, 45, is out of surgery but still in critical condition after being stabbed twice in the upper body while arresting a child sex abuse suspect this afternoon. His attacker (pictured) was shot by police and died at the pub where the incident occurred.
NSW
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A SENIOR detective, 45, is out of surgery but still in critical condition after being stabbed twice in the upper body while arresting a child sex abuse suspect this afternoon.
His 33-year-old attacker Nick Newman, who was facing child sex offences, was shot by the officer’s two colleagues and died at the pub in Sydney’s southeast where the incident unfolded.
The attacker
Police this evening said Newman had been wanted on six counts of rape, one count of intentionally choking and one of aggravated sexual assault against a person under 16.
The western Sydney resident had been due to face Penrith Local Court on Wednesday on the charges but failed to show up, leading police to issue a warrant for his arrest and yesterday ask for public assistance in the hunt to find him.
At the press conference this evening, Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said three detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad had gone to the Maroubra Junction Hotel just after 3pm to arrest Newman.
“The detectives approached the 33-year-old suspect in the beer garden of the hotel and whilst arresting the male, a 45-year-old detective sergeant was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by the offender,” Mr Walton said.
“The two other detectives have both discharged their firearm and stopped the offender who has fallen to the ground.”
Mr Walton said Newman died at the scene.
The wounded officer
The wounded officer was taken to St Vincent’s hospital, with a police escort, in a critical condition where he underwent emergency surgery.
Several police colleagues arrived soon after the ambulance to support the wounded officer at his bedside.
The head of the NSW Child Abuse Squad, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans, arrived at St Vincent’s as the detective prepared to undergo surgery.
About 7pm tonight, Mr Walton said the detective had come out of surgery but was in a critical condition.
“We’re certainly very concerned about his condition and our thoughts are with him and his family.”
“He’s a senior officer, he’s a detective sergeant, which always puts him in the senior operational elements.
“I certainly know he is very well regarded by his peers and there will be a lot of people very concerned about his condition tonight,” he said.
He said the other two officers involved were traumatised but were helping police with their investigation into the incident.
Dangers of the job
Mr Walton said the hotel had been packed at the time of the incident.
“I understand the hotel was quite full at the time. It is fair to say this happened very quickly as the officers approached this man.”
He said the situation highlighted the dangers faced by NSW Police.
“This is a relatively routine situation they were in today and unfortunately that has escalated and we’ve ended up in a very serious outcome,” he said.
Police Association of NSW president Scott Weber tonight said the wounded detective had almost paid the ultimate sacrifice.
He said it was good to hear “positive” news coming out of the hospital.
“We had three police officers who went out there to keep NSW safe and one of them was severely injured,” he said.
“Let’s make sure that every single person in NSW has thoughts and prayers tonight for those officers but especially the officer that is in hospital that’s fighting for his life.
“Every day we go out on the street to protect the people of NSW, we realise that we may not be coming home.”
“We had a police officer so closely go to that ultimate sacrifice ... Our thoughts and prayers are with him now.”
Scene of the crime
Soon after the attack occurred, emergency crews responded to a call-out at the hotel and police closed off several blocks of Maroubra Rd, outside the hotel.
As the wounded officer was taken to hospital, another man at the scene was arrested and taken in handcuffs to Maroubra Police Station less than 300m away.
Police later confirmed that arrests made at the scene were procedural only, and that no one else was wanted in relation to the incident.
Large police presence at maroubra junction over a brawl in Maroubra junction hotel. #australiaday pic.twitter.com/CrZkSYgdWf
— Hamid Farajollahi (@HamiFaraj) January 26, 2018
Another witness, Amy, was walking right next to the pub with her baby in a pram when she heard gunshots and bolted to safety.
“I was crossing the road while the drama was happening,” she said.
“I heard bang bang bang bang, four or five shots, I don’t know. It was like fireworks.
“I took off with the baby. I didn’t know where they were coming from.”
Soon after the attack, patrons and staff at the hotel and surrounding businesses were asked to evacuate the area.
Social media video showed police blocking off the street outside the pub.
#UPDATE: Police officer stabbed in "confrontation" at Maroubra pub, offender shot dead at the scene. Police launching critical incident investigation. More to come. #TenNews pic.twitter.com/P67DIXbYYY
— TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) January 26, 2018
Westbound lanes of Maroubra Rd were roped off from Anzac Pde to Robey St and a strong police presence remained in place as officer investigated. Bystanders were evacuated into the Aldi supermarket at the Pacific Square shopping centre.
Maroubra: A police officer attached to a specialist command has sustained stab wounds say police. A man has died at the scene after after being shot. Police say a critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances. #7News pic.twitter.com/HM7OkJZi6n
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) January 26, 2018
One witness had just parked his car when he saw people running outside.
“It’s funny because I just came down here for (the pokies) and had just parked my car and saw everyone running and people screaming.”
“Someone got shot or something, they reckon it’s an undercover.”
Tasso Sigrimis, 32, said he was walking past the pub with his partner when he came across the disturbance.
“We were walking past and we seen everything kicking off,” he said. “We heard arguing and then we heard shots and saw someone coming out with blood on them.”
“It was at least four or five shots and we just ran for our lives.”
The investigation
Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said the critical incident team from the homicide squad was now leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Their inquiry would include looking at the discharge of police guns.
“That investigation will be subject to independent review,” he said.
“All information will be provided to the coroner who will determine the cause and death and make findings surrounding the man’s death.”
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