By Sally Rawsthorne, Lucy Cormack and Megan Levy
Daniel King, 32, has been identified as the man shot dead following a shooting rampage across Sydney's west targeting his ex-partner's home and two police stations in an hour-long spree.
Mr King shot at the Marayong home of his pregnant partner Stacey Taylor on Wednesday night, then drove 15 kilometres to St Marys police station where he again fired his pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, loaded with pellets.
Twenty minutes later he stopped outside Penrith police station in a white Hyundai Highlander and began walking along the High Street footpath.
Police declared a critical incident following the "extreme" shooting spree, which left multiple police officers with injuries, including one in hospital with a pellet wound to the back of his head.
Footage posted online, reportedly filmed from a dance studio opposite Penrith police station, shows police officers firing multiple shots at a man armed with a shotgun. The man, who is dressed in a dark T-shirt and trousers, falls to the ground as witnesses scream out.
Police allege Mr King then approached police officers on the street and fired multiple shots, before he was shot dead by police.
Daniel King has been identified as the Penrith shooter.Credit: Instagram/nlt_apparel
Mr King was not known to police before the incident, a law enforcement source told the Herald.
According to a Facebook post, Ms Taylor was two days short of being 27 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when Mr King opened fire on her Marayong home.
Ms Taylor on Thursday morning told reporters that her former partner had been sending her "threats" since she became pregnant and had pressured her to have an abortion.
"[He was] accusing me that it wasn't his baby. That he wanted DNA testing, he would go to DOCS (sic) [Family and Community Services] to get me in trouble," she said.
On Thursday morning, Penrith police station and the neighbouring Australian Arms Hotel remained behind crime scene tape as police scoured nearby businesses for witnesses and CCTV
At the time of the Penrith shooting, investigators believed there was a second gunman, however it has since been confirmed that it was an innocent man running from gunfire at the nearby Panthers Pizza and Kebab while attempting to buy a late-night meal.
Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy, of NSW Police's metropolitan field operations, said he could not comment on the Mr King's motivations for the three shooting events, but described the level of criminality as "extreme".
"It's a very unusual event. It's something that really does concern us ... to shoot upon police ... [and] force police to protect themselves and return fire is very concerning."
Stacey Taylor, the ex-partner of Sydney bodybuilder Daniel King, speaking to Nine News on Thursday morning.Credit: Nine
Deputy Commissioner Loy praised officers for showing "care and empathy" for the alleged gunman by dragging him inside Penrith police station after he was shot.
"They took him inside to render aid and that was for his protection and their protection because they did, at that time, think there was a second offender.," he said at a media briefing outside Penrith police station about 2.30am on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner Loy said the male constable who received pellet wounds to the back of the head was taken to Westmead Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, while several other officers sustained minor non gunshot-related injuries.
Bodybuilder Daniel King, from Sydney. Credit: Instagram/nlt_apparel
In the footage posted online, Mr King is shown brandishing what appears to be a shotgun at police and advancing from behind a police car.
As he advances, he is shot multiple times in the chest and falls to the ground. At least 20 gunshots can be heard in the footage, and uniformed officers with their weapons drawn can be seen approaching him as he lays on the ground.
A man is seen advancing towards police in a video recorded near Penrith police station.
"I'm not joking, look I'm telling you this is happening ... in front of my eyes," a clearly distressed woman can be heard saying in the footage. As the shots ring out, the shocked woman repeatedly exclaims: "Oh my God! Oh my God!”
Police have not verified the authenticity of the footage.
A Penrith resident, who only wanted to be named as Roy, told Nine News that he heard the sound of gunfire as he was trying to fall asleep.
"I was just laying in me bed and just about to fall asleep and I heard three loud bangs. It sounded like it was firecrackers," he said.
"You wouldn't think it would happen with a police station right next door.
"It's getting a bit past a joke around the area nowadays."
Riot police officers in the vicinity of Penrith police station.Credit: TNV
Early on Thursday morning, officers could be seen searching a car outside Penrith police station that witnesses say the man pulled up in before confronting police.
High Street in Penrith remained closed between Lawson Street and Evan Street early on Thursday, while Penrith police station and St Marys police station are closed until further notice.
The area remained a crime scene on Thursday morning as day broke, with police canvassing the area for witnesses, CCTV and evidence.
Multiple members of the public order and riot squad were also seen patrolling Penrith's high street and busy Westfield Penrith Shopping Centre.
State crime command's homicide squad's critical incident investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the shootings. The investigation will be overseen by the professional standards command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
There was a heavy police presence on High Street in Penrith well into Thursday morning.Credit: TNV
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
NSW Police Association's acting president Kevin Morton said it was "disturbing" that police were targeted.
"It was an extremely dangerous situation, requiring a brave response and we are grateful under these circumstances that no officers were killed," Mr Morton said.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732.