Two shot: Labor MP’s car theft triggers police shooting in Wentworthville

An incident in Sydney’s west in which two people have been shot by police was sparked by the theft of a NSW Labor MP’s car.

• 5@5 BULLETIN: The scene where police shot two men

An incident in Sydney’s west in which two people have been shot by police was sparked by the theft of a NSW Labor MP’s car.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal thieves made off with the car of Penrith MP Karen McKeown’s husband. The car was reported stolen with police locating the vehicle in Wentworthville on Friday afternoon.

Police will allege the pair — a 26-year-old driver and a 34-year-old passenger — drove the car towards the officers at the scene with three police then opening fire.

The driver is a serious condition after being shot in the neck while the passenger is stable after his thigh was injured, said South West Metropolitan Region commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan.

He said five police — all wearing body worn cameras — were involved in the incident in which three opened fire on the pair. Among those three were a sergeant and a probationary constable of six months.

Shaken but unharmed … MP Karen McKeown.

Ms McKeown, the member for Penrith, spoke to the Telegraph after visiting the scene.

“Last night my home was broken into and my husband’s car stolen. I reported this to police,” she said.

“While I am shaken from the events, thankfully I am unharmed.

“I want to thank NSW Police, in particular the local area command at both Penrith and Cumberland Police for their prompt response.

“Political leaders often praise police for their bravery.

“Today, I have had a first-hand experience of this. I won’t be making any further comments at this time.”

A critical incident investigation is underway after two men were shot by police. Picture: Supplied.

The scene in Wentworthville shortly after the shooting. Picture: TNV

The luxury car was stolen from Ms McKeowin’s Leonay home during an aggravated break and enter at her in the early hours of Friday when the keys were stolen from inside her property where they were inside.

“They were home at the time but they were unaware at the time that it had occurred,” Assistant Commissioner Dunstan said.

The incident happened shortly before 1pm, with both men treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

Police including officers from specialist units cordoned off the street, lined with three storey unit blocks, in the centre of the suburb while PolAir patrolled the area.

Residents in the unit block were told to stay inside, with police declaring much of Lane St a crime scene.

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MP Karen McKeown. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Police ordered dad Akeem Olabisi, who was home with his six-year-old son Jamar in a neighbouring unit block, inside.

“I’m so scared now,” he said.

“I heard police sirens and I looked at my window and I saw an ambulance as well. I came outside and police told me to go inside.”

A police spokesman said a critical incident investigation was underway.

HOW IT UNFOLDED

Around 12.10pm, when police entered the unit block’s underground car park, the stolen vehicle was allegedly driven at them, prompting officers to shoot the two men inside.

The officers, who were uninjured, immediately rendered first aid until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Paramedics at the scene on Friday. Picture: TNV MUST CREDIT

A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad with the assistance of South West Metropolitan Region will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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