A critical incident investigation has been declared after a man was fatally shot by police during a siege in the state's Central Coast.
Just before 3.30pm, Wednesday 7 January 2026, police attended a home on Wells Street, Springfield, to check on the welfare of the occupant.
Officers from Brisbane Water Police District attended and attempted to speak to a 49-year-old man. The man armed himself with a screwdriver and other sharp objects and a perimeter was established with specialist resources attending to assist. Police continued to communicate with the man who refused to cooperate.
About 9.25pm, the man attempted to burn an officer by lighting an aerosol can. Officers attached to Tactical Operations Regional Support (TORS) gained entry to the premises before the man armed with himself with a sharp object and stabbed at an officer multiple times. Police officers discharged their firearms, and the man was fatally shot. A police officer received a minor injury as a result of the incident.
The man was immediately treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.
A critical incident team from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
