Man with bow and arrow shot dead by NSW police during welfare check

A man armed with a bow and arrow was shot dead by police in Gunnedah, New South Wales, during a welfare check on Friday at 1.40pm after authorities received a call about concerns for his welfare.

Police say they spoke to the man outside his home before he went back inside and returned with a bow and arrow, forcing officers to retreat to their vehicle for cover. The man then allegedly aimed the weapon at police, who shot him. Paramedics treated him but he was dead.

The incident is at least the third fatality involving NSW police this year. On 5 January, a man suffered a medical episode after he was pepper-sprayed and died in hospital while being arrested to prevent a "breach of the peace" as police responded to reports of a domestic violence incident in Sydney's inner west. On 7 January, police shot dead a man believed to have been experiencing a mental health episode who barricaded himself inside a house during a six-hour standoff; the 49-year-old reportedly armed himself with a shard of glass and had taken hold of an officer before they shot him.

Police will carry out a critical incident investigation into the Gunnedah death, which will be monitored by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

Key Topics

World, Nsw Police, Gunnedah, Welfare Check, Critical Incident Investigation, Sydney Inner West