Carly Pirronelli shot dead by police after stabbing her mother to death at Lower Plenty property

A young woman has been shot dead by police after she was found fatally stabbing her mother in a frenzied attack at a Lower Plenty home.

Joanne Perry (left) was stabbed to death by her daughter, Carly Pirronelli, who was then shot dead by police.

A young woman who stabbed her mother to death at her Lower Plenty home was shot dead by a police officer after she refused to drop her knife and end the frenzied attack.

Two officers attended the property in Melbourne’s northeast on Friday about 6.30pm following reports from concerned neighbours that the 26-year-old woman, Carly Pirronelli, was setting her 53-year-old mother, Joanne Perry, on fire.

But Ms Pirronelli, who was on bail for an unrelated matter, was found at the Kett St unit plunging the knife into the neck and torso of her mother.

She was told multiple times to drop the weapon, but she refused.

Joanne Perry. Picture: Facebook

Acting Superintendent Scott Colson on Saturday defended the decision of one of the officers, with four years’ experience, to fire his gun.

However, he could not confirm how many shots were fired, how far away Ms Pirronelli was from the officers and where in her body she was shot.

The officers were not armed with tasers, he confirmed.

“No member wants to go to work expecting or wanting to draw their firearm,” he said.

“It’s a terrible situation, which they dread.

“They were confronted with a terrible dilemma and they’ve acted absolutely appropriately within their training and within the guidelines.

“They have the fullest support from the broader organisation.”

Neighbours watch on as investigators arrive. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Both women were treated by paramedics, but were pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood Ms Perry was not alive after the shooting had taken place.

Superintendent Colson said Ms Pirronelli was known to police in relation to her mother, but he said there was nothing preventing her from being at her mother’s property.

He confirmed she was on bail at the time, but he could not say whether she had prior convictions.

It is believed Ms Pirronelli had mental health issues, but Superintendent Colson said he was not in a position to confirm that.

Police at the scene on Saturday morning. Picture: David Crosling

On Saturday morning, forensic police descended on the normally quiet street as concerned locals watched on from their properties.

Neighbour Sue Keough said it was “the last thing you’d ever expect”.

Living close to the unit, she heard much of the tragedy unfold.

“The gunfire was extremely loud, a cracking sound that you can’t quite believe,” she said.

“I did know it was gunshots, but I didn’t want to believe it.”

Ms Keough added that she did not personally know the family, but the news was horrific nonetheless.

Another neighbour said she also heard gunshots from the Kett St unit.

“I waited to hear anything else afterwards, but there was just silence,” she said.

Neighbour Mick Stevenson said the area was not often visited by police.

“It is quiet as — once in a hundred years,” he said.

“A pity the poor ladies are no longer with us.”