A man has been shot by police in Hobart’s northern suburbs following a stand-off in which he claimed to have a gun.
Southern District Commander Jason Elmer said police were called to a property in Goodwood around 4:35am on Easter Sunday after reports of a trespasser.
The man was found to be a relative of the homeowner but was wanted over an unrelated matter, he said.
Elmer said when officers attempted to arrest the man, he retreated inside the home and threatened them, claiming he was armed.
“There [was] pretty solid information, including from the offender himself, that he had a firearm and he was threatening to use that firearm at the police officers involved,” Commander Elmer said.
About 10 officers were at the scene as negotiations continued for more than an hour, he said.
At 5:50am, the man walked into the front yard and advanced towards police, refusing repeated requests to show his hands, Commander Elmer said.
Two officers then discharged their firearms after deploying OC spray, striking the man once in the chest, he said.
Police performed first aid at the scene and the man was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
Commander Elmer confirmed the man did not have a firearm.
“At the time [the two police officers] discharged their firearm, they were firm in the belief that he was in possession of the firearm,” he said.
“Post-shooting … it’s been ascertained that the male was not in possession of the firearm.”
He said other items were seized from the scene but declined to say what they were, only that they would form part of the investigation.
No one else was inside the home and Commander Elmer said there was no risk to the broader community at any point.
The shooting is being investigated by Tasmania Police Professional Standards and is being overseen by the Integrity Commission.
A separate investigation will examine possible charges against the man.
Commander Elmer said the incident had been traumatic for the officers involved.
“They have had to take action this morning that will no doubt imprint upon them for the rest of their lives,” he said.
“Those officers, whether that be tonight or tomorrow night or in a few days’ time, have to go back to work and have to start a shift, not knowing what lays ahead.”
He said the officers had his “full support” and acted in line with their training.
“I’m incredibly proud of our police officers who turn up to work every single day to do their job and have to deal with extremely confronting situations like this morning and are forced to make critical decisions, sometimes in milliseconds,” Commander Elmer said.
