Man shot dead by police in Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches

Neighbours in streets surrounding the scene of a fatal police shooting on the northern beaches have told of hearing multiple shots in the early hours of this morning.

Police at the Newport crime scene on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Neighbours in streets surrounding the scene of a fatal police shooting on the northern beaches have told of hearing multiple gunshots in the early hours of Thursday.

Two officers shot and killed a 39-year-old man outside his home at Newport after he allegedly lunged at them with a knife.

Witnesses said they heard at least seven rapidly-fired shots.

The man’s elderly parents had called police just before 2am to the house in Belinda Pl after what was described as a “domestic violence confrontation” involving their son who lived with them.

Police remained at the Newport crime scene on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

A neighbour said the man and his parents were reclusive and had little to do with other residents in the dead-end street which overlookd the stretch of coastline between Newport and Bilgola.

Gina Hill, who lives in Belinda Pl, said she had an encounter with the man some time ago after his pet chihuhua dog attacked and bit her ankle while she was walking her own West Highland Terrier, Wallace

Newport resident Gina Hill, with her dog Wallace, who lives in Belinda Pl. She had an encounter with the dead man two years ago when she was bitten by his dog. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Ms Hill also said she had seen a police car outside the dead man’s home several weeks ago.

She said the family was reclusive and did not interact with their neighbours.

“He lived in the house with them, but he and his parents did not go out much,“ she said. “The blinds are always down and I never saw them out in the garden.”

Ms Hill said that about two years ago the man, who she described as having a large build, was with his pet chihuahua dog when it attacked her, biting her ankle.

“I was walking my dog Wallace and his dog latched onto my leg. I asked him to remove it but he just stared at me.He had this blank look on his face.”

Another nearby resident, Dale Negus, was awake in her home just before 2am when she heard what she thought were gunshots.

Newport resident Dale Negus who described hearing seven rapid gunshots early on Thursday, which were fired by police officers. A local man, 39, who allegedly lunged at the officers with a knife, was killed. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Ms Negus, who lives in an adjoining street, said she was suffering a bout of insomnia and was walking around her home when she heard the noises.

“I heard seven bangs in quick succession, one after another,” she said.

“I thought they were gunshots but then I thought ‘don’t be stupid, they can’t be gunshots’.

“Then I thought it might be a backfire, but there were no cars. Then I thought they were fireworks, but I couldn’t see any.

“It was extremely loud. It’s really quiet around here normally, very quiet.”

Ms Negus said she did not hear any shouts or arguing prior to the shooting incident.

“But about five minutes after the noises I started hearing sirens and seeing the flashing lights. About four or five police cars turned up.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said she slept through the noise.

“It is a really quiet neighbourhood here. It’s like a retirement village,” she said.

Asst Commissioner Leanne McCusker. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

North West Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker, said a number of officers from the Northern Beaches Local Area Command rushed to the home in Belinda Pl.

“Whilst attempting to speak to a 39-year-old male a violent confrontation occurred,” Asst Comm McCusker said.

“As a result of this violent confrontation police did discharge their firearms with fatal critical injuries occurring to the male.

“The male unfortunately didn’t survive at the scene.”

Police immediately tried to save the man using first aid.

An internal police ”critical incident” investigation is now underway. It will be overseen by an “independent agency”.

Belinda Pl was cordoned off by police tape for most of the day as detectives as well as police forensics and dog squad officers visited the scene. A mobile police command centre has been set up on the corner with Cheryl Cres.

“The deceased male was carrying a knife,” Asst Comm McCusker said. “Early stages of the investigation indicate that he did lunge at police.”

“This is a traumatic situation for everybody involved.”

Forensic officers arrive at the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Police confirmed that the man was known to them but would not confirm whether they had previously been called to the house.

Asst Comm McCusker said whether the man had mental health issues or not, would form part of the investigation.

She said the original domestic violence incident did not involve a partner, but she confirmed that the man’s parents were at the house.

Police would not yet release details of whether the shooting took place inside the house or what part of the body was hit by the shots fired by the two officers.

“The family is assisting police with the investigation, and naturally, we are ensuring that appropriate support is in place for those family members as well,” Asst Comm McCusker said.

No other family members or police were injured.

This is the second police related shooting on the Northern Beaches in less than three years.

In August 2019, Jacob Carr, was shot and killed by police on a property on Mona Vale Rd at Ingleside.

Officers were responding to reports of a violent confrontation with a family member. When Police went into a granny flat on a Saturday night Mr Carr pointed a shotgun at them.

He was wounded in the legs, But died due to blood loss on the way to hospital.

A birthday party was being held at the time on another part of the property.