Willoughby NSW Police shooting: Knife-wielding man shot dead

Police officers were confronted by a man threatening residents with two knives before a constable shot him dead on Sydney’s lower north shore. He was screaming ‘I’ll kill her’ before being fatally wounded.

Residents were told not to leave their homes as the drama unfolded. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

A man shot dead by police after he was heard running through a lower north shore neighbourhood yelling “I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her,” has been identified as Steve Pampalian.

Neighbours on the usually-quiet and leafy streets of North Willoughby told of their shock at the confrontation between NSW Police and the Pampalian, who was gunned down on Alexander Ave before 12pm.

Witnesses claimed the Pampalian, who was aged in his 40s, was shirtless and making threats to locals while brandishing two large cooking knives.

He had knocked on several doors in the area and was heard making death threats to residents.

The two responding officers were then confronted by the knifeman before a constable discharged their firearm.

Steve Pampalian was shot dead by police on Alexander Ave in North Willoughby on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker said early investigations indicated four shots were fired by officers at the scene.

She said it was unclear what triggered the man’s behaviour or whether mental health was a factor.

“He ran at police and the two large knives he had on him at the time are what I’d be describing as large chef-style knives,” she said.

“Certainly some concern had been raised by neighbours but that will form part of the critical investigation.”

Ms McCuker said she intends to view the body camera footage of officers during the incident.

“I haven’t seen the footage yet, that is because it is early on in the investigation,” she said.

“Certainly Taser was a tactical option available (to the officers), and in terms of the tatical option that was used that will be subject to the investigation by the critical investigation team.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker said Pampalian ran at police with two large knives.

Local residents said the shotting had stunned the community.

“It was like 11am and there was this crying sound (of) ‘I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her’,” local man Mujahid Torwali said.

“Soon, after five or 10 minutes, they were like firing (gunshots), maybe three or four. And then after 10 to 15 minutes there was police everywhere.”

Mr Torwali said the first two gunshots came in quick succession, before a moment’s pause and then another round.

“They were very sharp (shots), they sounded at first like maybe firecrackers … they sounded like a gun, you know that different sound,” local Jakelin Troy said.

Police at the shooting scene on Alexander Ave Willoughby. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“This is the quietest part of Sydney, it used to be Gladys (Berijiklian’s) electorate, it’s just a really quiet part of Sydney and nothing happens around here.

“It’s very sad, it’s dreadful.”

Julie Risbey, who runs Chameleon Hair near the corner of Alexander St, said the incident had become the “talk of the salon” on Thursday afternoon.

“We heard all the sirens and had no idea what was going on,” she said.

Alexander Ave, Willoughby remained cordoned off well into Thursday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“It’s a lovely quiet area. It’s very surprising that something like this would happen here.”

Local resident Justin Ho was equally shocked to hear about the shooting.

“It’s a close-knit neighbourhood and it’s bewildering,” he said.

The shooting took place outside nearby St Thomas Primary School. Police at the scene confirmed the school was placed into lockdown at the time of the incident but remained operational as there was no threat to the community.

A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will investigate the shooting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Willoughby Public School principal Jennifer Simmonds also wrote to parents saying the primary school had been placed into lockdown as a precaution.

2GB radio host Ben Fordham was reportedly in the area when the shooting occurred and called into the radio station to warn locals to be aware.

“First and foremost for anyone around the area, if you can be aware that there is a very serious police operation that is underway around Willoughby at the moment,” he told colleague Deborah Knight.

“You’d be wise to avoid it if you possibly can.

“Gunshots have been heard in the area of Willoughby.”

Police swarmed Alexander St after the shooting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Police said a critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad would investigate all circumstances surrounding the man’s death, including the discharge of a police firearm.

The incident follows a difficult week for NSW Police bosses who have been dealing with the fallout of the Tasering, and subsequent death, of 95-year-old Cooma dementia patient Clare Nowland.

Mrs Nowland was allegedly Tasered by police responding to claims she was holding a steak knife inside her aged care facility.

One of the police officers involved, Senior Constable Kristian White, has been charged over the incident following a critical investigation by the NSW Police Homicide Squad.

Mrs Nowland died on Wednesday night in hospital, one week after the incident at Yallambee Lodge in the Snowy Mountains caused national outrage.