Police shoot knife-wielding man dead in dramatic standoff on Monash Freeway
After a knife-wielding man was shot dead by police on the Monash Freeway in a shocking incident, officers are examining whether the man, understood to have a history of mental illness, wanted to end his life by police fire.
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Police will investigate whether the knifeman killed in a Monash Freeway shooting on Thursday wanted the fatal confrontation.
It is understood the 53-year-old Narre Warren man had a history of mental illness and was known to police based on welfare checks at his home.
Investigators will likely examine the possibility he intended to end his life with police gunfire.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said the man was distressed and agitated when police found his 2008 silver Mitsubishi Colt parked in the emergency lane of the freeway near the EastLink merge about 9.30am on Thursday.
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Critical Incident Response Team officers tried to negotiate with him and calm him but he advanced at them with a knife in front of shocked motorists.
Police hit him with a nonlethal beanbag round in an attempt to stop him but he came at them again.
The man was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene.
One officer suffered minor injuries after falling to the ground as the incident ended.
Mr Hill said the man did not have a criminal record but it is believed he was known to police due to previous mental health incidents.
He described the freeway stand-off as a “mental health episode” with “tragic” consequences.
“Whether it was a matter of self-harm or harming others, the male involved was quite distressed and you could term it as a mental health episode,” Mr Hill said.
“We are still trying to understand why, what’s motivated — what’s triggered — this situation.”
The entire incident was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras and VicRoads freeway cameras.
Passing trucks stopped to help police as cars drove past.
Five CIRT officers were first to arrive and were backed up a short time later by another seven officers.
Each of their actions will be scrutinised as part of the Homicide Squad investigation, overseen by Professional Standards Command.
The officers underwent drug and alcohol testing.
Mr Hill said he was confident police did everything they could to try to defuse the situation.
“There will be a very intense investigation to understand what occurred,” Mr Hill said.
“There have been reasons for police to go to his address in the past and these matters will form part of our understanding why we find ourselves here on the Monash Freeway today.”
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said police acted in self-defence in “an extremely dangerous environment”.
“We are currently providing immediate wellbeing and other support to all members involved,” he said.
Family members of the man were on Thursday informed of his death by police.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to crimestoppersvic.com.au
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