Knife-wielding man shot dead by police at Wickham after stabbing spree

A man was shot dead and two police officers stabbed – one in the chest – after an incident with an armed man near Newcastle on Friday.

A critical incident investigation is under way after police shot an armed man near Newcastle on Friday morning.

The two officers, aged 25 and 26, were investigating an overnight burglary when inquiries led them to the Wickham address just before 8am.

Police sources said they were confronted by the man with a knife who lunged at the male officer and stabbed him under an armpit.

The female officer became involved in the fracas and was also injured.

It’s not yet clear whether her injuries were caused by a knife wound, muzzle flash wound or a bullet wound.

Police investigating the scene where a knife-wielding man was shot dead. Picture: David Swift.

The male officer fired his weapon multiple times, hitting the knife-wielding man in the chest.

The attacker died en route to hospital.

Police believe he appeared to have been squatting at the abandoned house. He is yet to be identified.

On Friday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters the two officers were sitting upright in bed at John Hunter Hospital, but were obviously shaken.

The incident happened just after 8am on Friday morning. Picture: 9NEWS

“Policing is a dangerous job at times, there‘s no doubt about that,” he said.

“These two officers are very, very lucky to be sitting up alive and breathing after what was a very confronting, very dangerous situation.”

A crime scene established in Wickham. Picture:: 9NEWS

He said the two officers were “fairly junior” and “very well regarded,” and their reactions were testament to their police training.

“At the moment, their welfare is being looked after by not only their colleagues and the police welfare (services) that we have, but also with family.

“Police don’t come to work looking to find themselves in these sorts of situations,” he said.

“But once again, that is what they do. They go from protecting their own lives to trying to save another and that will all come out in the investigations as well no doubt.”

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told The Saturday Telegraph she woke to gunshots ringing out. Another said she raced from her window and ducked for safety.

A critical incident team comprised of officers from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm.

That investigation will be subject to independent review.