‘Tragic incident’: Man fatally shot after charging at police with knife

Police have provided an update on the ‘tragic’ fatal shooting of a man after he charged at police with a knife near a popular market in Melbourne.

A knife-wielding man has died after being shot by police in a “tragic incident” in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Paisley St and Albert St in Footscray about 9pm Thursdayafter a triple-0 call from a member of the public, who claimed there was a man armed with a weapon.

Police patrolling the area foundthe man armed with a knife and told him to drop the weapon.

“I’m told he didn’t (drop the weapon),” Victoria Police Commander Timothy Tully told reporters on Friday.

Police said the man instead charged towards the officers with the weapon.

Commander Tully told reporters the two officers on the scene did not deploy tasers, instead both shooting the man, which was not “standard procedure”.

A man wielding a knife has been shot dead by police in Footscray. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The man was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

The incident will be investigated with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for fatal police shootings.

“(The officers) deemed firearms were appropriate,” Commander Tully said, adding it would be “not fair to say they’ll be stood down”.

Police are yet to determine how the man got access to the knife, though Commander Tully indicated there were “a number of shopping centres nearby”, which will be factored into the investigation.

“This is a tragic incident for all involved,” he said.

Following the man’s death, a group of people began challenging police, throwing bottles and “abusing them”.

“That behaviour is absolutely deplorable,” Commander Tully said.

Commander Tully rejected the idea that Footscray should be “segregated as a ‘problem suburb’”. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Commander Tully rejected the suggestion Footscray required extra attention, following its ramped-up police presence in recent weeks, with a focus on addressing drug offending, public order issues, road safety and anti-social behaviour.

“Footscray cannot be segregated as a ‘problem suburb’,” he said.

He issued a warning to the public about the dangers of carrying weapons in public.

“There’s no reason to be carrying knives in public places. It could result in tragic circumstances, life-changing injuries … and prison sentences,” he said.

“There’s no winner.”

Victoria Police will increase its police presence in the suburb to ensure peace of mind among the community.

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