Quakers Hill shooting: Man shot outside Western Sydney police station
DISTRAUGHT family and friends can’t explain why the man they knew as a “peaceful” ran into Quakers Hill police station on Tuesday brandishing a knife.
- Man dead after shots fired at Quakers Hill police station
- VIDEO: Police and paramedics on-scene at Quakers Hill shooting
DISTRAUGHT family and friends are at a loss to explain why the man they knew as a “placid, peaceful giant” ran into the Quakers Hill police station on Tuesday brandishing a knife.
David Peterson was shot dead by a police sergeant after repeatedly refusing to put down the weapon.
The 45-year-old father was described by family as the life of the party and remembered by neighbours as a “quiet family man”.
Mr Peterson was revived twice as he lay on the floor of the police station but died at the scene.
Yesterday, a lone netball ring stood in the back yard of Mr Petersen’s three-bedroom terrace house, but the laughter and play he had enjoyed with his daughter was replaced with a heartbreaking silence.
Quakers Hill Police Station remained closed as carpet installers ripped up bloodstained flooring and replaced it with new coverings.
Homicide detectives scoured Mr Petersen’s house for clues as to what pushed the man to drive his white Commodore sedan the few blocks from his home on Highfield Rd to the police station.
Mr Petersen, a scaffolder, was born in New Zealand and went to high school in Auckland. He was a rugby fan, loved volleyball and was part of a Pacific Island dance group.
Mr Petersen’s nephew said his uncle was like a father to him who “loved his family, put everyone before himself” and had helped him get his life back on track.
“You were my idol growing up, the bloke I wanted to be like the one I always wanted to impress,” AJ Martin Petersen wrote online. “In my darkest moments you were there for me, you got me back on my feet and you gave me my first tool belt and the job that would mould the awesome life I live now.”
Mr Petersen’s brother Alex said he was “lost for words” at the death of his big brother who was “always my hero”.
“I’m going to miss you so, so, much,” he said.
Neighbour Irena Wood said he often smiled and waved at her and that she was shocked by the attack.
A 12-year-old boy is undergoing psychological counselling after witnessing the horror unfold.
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