Police shoot ex-cop in dramatic Werribee confrontation
A man who police were forced to shoot after an alleged domestic assault in Werribee has been revealed as a former police officer himself. A neighbour captured the moment officers opened fire during the dramatic confrontation.
Police & Courts
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A former Victoria Police officer shot twice by police after allegedly coming at them with a kitchen knife has been identified as Darren Esler.
The former leading senior constable served in the force for two decades, including in the Highway Patrol, and retired earlier this year due to mental health struggles.
Mr Esler was shot twice in the torso by police after unexpectedly charging out of his Werribee home at police allegedly armed with a kitchen knife.
Police were called to the Sanderling St home after he allegedly threatened to assault a woman, 59, who escaped the home.
The ex-police officer is currently in the intensive care unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
He underwent surgery on Tuesday and is in a serious but stable condition.
Mr Esler is expected to face charges over the incident and is yet to be interviewed.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said police had responded to previous domestic disturbances at the home.
Five Critical Incident Response Team officers used tasers and a beanbag round to try to subdue him after he unexpectedly exited his home via a sliding rear door during negotiations.
“Police members had called upon him to drop his weapon but the individual did not stop advancing,” Mr Hill said.
“(After the shooting) the male dropped to the ground and the police members provided immediate first aid. I am told they saved his life.
The entire incident was captured on body-worn cameras, CCTV and taser cameras.
Mr Hill said it appeared Mr Esler was suffering a mental health episode.
He said officers can become severely traumatised by the job.
“Far too many police members do suffer as a consequence of what they are confronted with a contemporary policing environment,” he said.
“Our members are challenged every hour of the day with very confronting things that any individual would be impacted by.”
Neighbours heard women screaming for help and that they didn’t want the man to die amid the shooting.
Jonathan and Jazmyn, who live on the street, said they heard a round of shots after being woken to the commotion.
“It’s not everyday you see six cop cars and hear a round of shots,” Jonathan said.
“It’s commonly a quiet street.”
Jazmyn said she saw members of the man’s family screaming from a police car parked outside the home.
“They were screaming ‘help’ and that they didn’t want him to die,” she said.
The visibly distressed women returned to the home early Tuesday morning and declined to speak to the media. Both women were not injured.
Another neighbour said the man had been going through a tough time prior to the incident.
“He was a very nice man and they are a very nice family having problems at the moment,” the neighbour said.
“He is down on his luck at the moment. I am sure he has seen a lot of things we don’t see and he is doing it a bit tough.
“(The shooting) was a horrible thing to happen. I am sure it was hard for everyone last night.”
Armed Crime Squad detectives will investigate the shooting.
It will be overseen by Professional Standards Command, as per standard protocol for police shootings.
Police will also investigate whether Mr Esler was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if he came at police with the intention of causing himself harm.
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