Man shot during confrontation with police in Sydney’s west

Police say a man they shot dead in Sydney’s west had grabbed one of their guns and fired at them in the moments prior to the shooting.

Police said a young man shot dead by officers in the backyard of his Western Sydney home this morning had just grabbed one of their guns and fired at them.

Four plain-clothed officers pulled up in a car beside Bradley Balzan, 20, around 10.30am this morning after they claim he was “acting suspiciously” near a hotel in St Marys.

They had a brief exchange before Mr Balzan allegedly turned and fled on foot.

Police pursued him to his home on nearby Acacia Ave where Mr Balzan jumped a fence into the backyard and two of the officers followed him over.

Bradley Balzan was shot dead by police in the backyard of his St Marys home. Picture: Facebook

Police say Balzan fired at the officers. Picture: Facebook

Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones said Mr Balzan and the two officers were scuffling when one of the officers “had his service weapon taken from him”. He said Mr Balzan shot at least one round which missed the officers.

“There was a scuffle in relation to that weapon during which one round, we believe, possibly more, was fired from that firearm. As a result of that shot a second police officer has filed one round, we believe, which has hit the male person in the stomach.

“Tragically and unfortunately that male has died as a result of that gunshot wound.”

The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Balzan’s father Adam Balzan was home at the time and came out onto the back steps to find his only child had been shot.

Police outside the home on Acacia Avenue in St Marys where Bradley Balzan was shot dead on Wednesday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Distraught, Adam Balzan went with police to provide a statement this afternoon.

Mr Jones said he could not elaborate on what police meant by Bradley Balzan acting suspiciously, nor could he say whether Mr Balzan snatched the gun from the officer’s holster or hands.

“I’m not exactly sure in this set of circumstances whether the weapon, whether it was holstered, whether it was out of its holster at the time in the police officer’s hand, I’m not sure,” he said.

One of the two dogs kept at the Balzan home bit one of the officers who is this afternoon being treated in hospital.

Asked whether he supported the actions of officers today, Mr Jones said “ultimately it’s a matter for the coroner”.

Police collecting evidence outside the home on Acacia Avenue in St Marys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Police are put into a very confronting situation and they acted, I understand in accordance to policy and procedure, but that’s something that I have to say will be investigated by the independent review,” he said.

Bradley Balzan, who was shot dead by police in the backyard of his St Marys home. Picture: Facebook

Horrified family members arrived at the scene this afternoon, collapsing on the ground in tears as they watched police go in and out of the crime scene.

Sources close to the family said Mr Balzan had been mugged two years ago and believe he would have been scared when the plain-clothed officers confronted him on the street.

Neighbours were stunned to hear what had happened at the Balzan home.

“I heard a bang bang and thought what’s that? Then five seconds later I heard another bang bang and thought oh, that’s gunshots I’m not going outside,” one neighbour, Brenda, said.

Tempers boiled over at the scene on Wednesday afternoon when a grieving friend yelled at officers, saying “the poor bloke’s dead, the poor bloke’s dead ... you f***ing pricks”.

He was later arrested after he began yelling at members of the media.

MAN SHOT DEAD BY POLICE

A man has been shot dead in a confrontation with police in Sydney’s west this morning.

Police and emergency service are still on scene at Acacia Ave, St Marys where the incident took place before 11am today.

“A police operation is currently underway at Acacia Avenue, St Marys. Initial reports suggest a man has been shot during a confrontation with police ... There are no persons outstanding,” a NSW Police statement said.

A man has been shot dead in a confrontation with police in St Marys. Picture: TNV

The incident happened around 11am. Picture: TNV

A police investigation is still ongoing. Picture: TNV

The public is urged to avoid the area. Picture: TNV

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area.

Police were patrolling Acacia Ave around 10.30am when they came across the 20-year-old man in the street and attempted to approach him.

He is believed to have run away into the backyard of his parents home nearby and armed himself with a shovel.

He is believed to have threatened officers with the shovel before a struggle took place. During the altercation with the man investigators believe he grabbed the gun of one officer. The other officer has drawn their weapon and shot him, police believe.

A critical incident investigation is now under way.

Originally published as Man shot during confrontation with police in Sydney’s west