Carjacker dies after being shot by police in Drouin

An armed carjacker has died after being shot by police in Drouin during a stand-off in which he refused to drop a knife.

Police at the scene of the shooting. Picture: Nicki Connolly

An extensive homicide investigation is under way after a knife-wielding carjacker was shot dead by police in West Gippsland.

Police went to the Strzelecki Highway in Mirboo North, 155km east of Melbourne, to reports of an armed carjacking about 7.40am on Thursday.

The carjacker threatened a man with a knife before stealing a silver Audi station wagon.

The Morwell man, 31, was known to police but was not wanted on any outstanding matters.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said police had received “various reports” of the car being driven erratically through several nearby towns.

He said four responding officers from the Baw Baw shire tried to stop the car on Princes Way about 9am before it hit multiple parked cars and a guard rail.

The scene of the shooting in Drouin. Picture: Twitter

The man left the vehicle armed with a knife and came at police despite their attempts to defuse the situation.

“The male refused demands to put the weapon down and advanced on police and two shots were fired,” Mr Weir said.

“(It would be) fairly terrifying for the police who were confronted with that knife. They are very shaken.

“No one goes to work and thinks they are going to be placed in that position, but they have taken immediate action following a really serious criminal offence.”

The man, who had upper body wounds, died at the scene.

Mr Weir said the incident was “fairly instantaneous” and the four officers, a sergeant and three senior constables, would be offered support.

An eyewitness, Brock, said he saw the “erratic” man get out of the stolen car.

“Police were yelling at him to drop it (the weapon); he didn’t drop it,” Brock said.

“They gave him every opportunity to drop it. He was just erratic; he was running around.

“He didn’t seem to be quite with it. He was agitated and aggressive.

“It was definitely scary for everyone else involved; they (police) were amazing.”

Victoria Police said the homicide squad’s investigation on behalf of the state coroner would be overseen by the Professional Standards Command, which is standard protocol when a police firearm is discharged.

State coroner John Cain attended the site on Thursday and said if necessary he would make recommendations to address systematic issues to prevent similar incidents.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or

crimestoppervic.com.au