A 63-year-old woman has died after police shot her during an alleged axe attack in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, in which an officer was also injured.
South Australia Police were called to a home in Gwynne Street, Firle, shortly before 2am on Thursday after reports that a woman armed with an axe was trying to force her way inside.
Officers allegedly found the woman in the front yard still holding the weapon. Police said they repeatedly ordered her to drop it and tried to de-escalate the confrontation before deploying a Taser, which was ineffective.
The woman then allegedly moved towards the officers and struck one of them in the leg with the axe. Police fired a shot, hitting her before she collapsed.
Officers administered first aid until paramedics arrived, but the woman died at the scene. The injured officer suffered bruising to his leg and was treated by paramedics.
Investigation launched into fatal police shooting
Acting Commissioner Linda Williams said she had reviewed body-worn camera footage of the shooting and the events leading up to it, and was satisfied the officers had acted appropriately.
“South Australia Police acknowledges this is a tragic incident for all involved and a reminder of the dangers officers can face when responding to calls for assistance from the community,” Ms Williams said.
The shooting has prompted a coronial investigation and a Commissioner’s Inquiry into whether South Australia Police policies and procedures were followed.
Major Crime detectives, forensic officers and investigators from the Internal Investigation Section examined the scene on Thursday and worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting. Investigations are continuing.
