A man has died in hospital after he was shot multiple times to the chest by Tasmania Police officers.
The man sustained critical injuries in the shooting at Cornwall Square on St Johns Street in Launceston around 10am on Tuesday.
The incident occurred across the road from the Launceston Police Station.
Police said the man was armed with a knife and had threatened members of the public shortly prior.
Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodner said two attending police officers fired their weapons, with two shots hitting the man in the chest.
Footage from the scene captured at least four shots, with officers heard shouting “get on the ground” after the first was fired.
Three more shots could then be heard about 20 seconds later.
“Upon police arrival, officers attempted to negotiate with the man, who was armed with a knife and making threats,” Bodner said.
“Initial investigations indicate the man ignored repeated warnings by police to disarm. OC spray was deployed, however the man continued to advance towards police.”
Bodner said the man was given with first aid at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later after arriving at the Launceston General Hospital.
A police officer was also taken to hospital after receiving a non-life-threatening “bullet injury”.
“No other people were injured in the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community,” Bodner said.
“As is normal process in any serious incident involving police, a full professional standards investigation is underway.”
Bodner could not confirm exactly how many shots were fired.
“Our members were there very swiftly,” he said. “They implemented their training.”
“As the threats continued towards our police officers, they’ve used a less than lethal option trying to defuse the situation and also to protect themselves from serious injury.”
“For whatever reason that hasn’t worked and then they’ve resulted in lethal force. Now lethal force for a police officer is the very last option.”
“This is not an outcome that we want to see, it’s very tragic but again our people are very well trained to make decisions in situations that are dangerous not only to them but also to members of the public.”
A crime scene has been established and several city streets remain closed as investigations continue.
Attempts are being made to contact the man’s next of kin.
