Police operation underway after prisoner suffers fatal gunshot wound while being transported in Wollongong CBD

A prisoner has has died after stealing a gun from a Corrective Services officer while being transported in Wollongong.

A shooting is under investigation at Gladstone Avenue in Wollongong.

An inmate has died after stealing a Corrective Services officer’s gun in Wollongong CBD.

It is understood the man was on a medical transfer headed for Wollongong Hospital at the time of the incident about midday on Wednesday.

During the escort the inmate managed to steal a firearm from a Corrective Services officer.

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman told NCA NewsWire: “The 37-year-old man suffered serious self-inflicted injuries during an escort to a medical facility at approximately midday today and died a short time later.”

She said the incident was under investigation and, like all deaths in custody, would be subject to a coronial inquest.

A shooting is under investigation at Gladstone Ave, Wollongong.

The incident sparked a major police operation in Gladstone Avenue, with the city’s CBD coming to a standstill.

Police officers were called to the scene just after midday and closed off the area to members of the public.

Police swarmed the area around the Piccadilly Centre, a shopping mall on Crown Street, according to reports on social media.

Some witnesses who were in the area have reported hearing shots ring out.

WOLLONGONG: Crown St (Princes Hwy) is closed in both directions between New Dapto Rd and Railway Pde due to a police operation. Traffic's heavy, avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/4fqpZ0fJzz

— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) January 6, 2021

Inquiries into the incident continue.