A wanted African man has been shot by police in Melbourne after he allegedly grabbed a metal pole and charged at six officers.
Victoria Police said they arrived at a home in Doveton in the city’s southeast at 9am on Saturday after neighbours reported an argument between a man and a woman, but the pair had already left.
At 10.30am they were called back to the government housing property where they tried to speak with the man, but he grabbed a metal pole and “aggressively” ran at police, chasing them 30 metres down the street before a shot was fired, police said.
The 33-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to his armpit area, and police also used OC spray to eventually arrest and handcuff him, before pouring a bucket of water on him to ease the effects of the spray, the Herald Sun reported.
He was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition, where he was put under police guard.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Southern Metropolitan Region Wayne Viney said the man was wanted on several outstanding warrants, including for assault, was of a large build, and caused the officers to fear for their lives.
“Whilst being arrested, he broke free from police members, chased police members down the street with this large metal pole,” he said.
“One of the members, fearing for the life and safety of the other police members … that male was shot. To go to the extreme lengths of shooting someone, yes, they would have feared for their own safety.”
Neighbours said police were regularly called to the home, which was piled with rubbish and had smashed windows.
Police said an investigation into the incident was underway with oversight by Professional Standards Command, as is normal practice when a police firearm is discharged.
Header image: Left, right, the man after his arrest.
