A 33-year-old man has been shot in an incident involving police at Beechford, near Bridport.

The man is in a stable condition in the Launceston General Hospital.

Police were called to Dwyer Street by members of the public shortly after 4am this morning to a report of an armed man acting aggressively and making threats.

Negotiators were called to the scene.  Attempts to persuade the man to disarm himself continued for approximately 45 minutes.  The man was shot in the stomach by a police officer after a confrontation.  OC spray was deployed some time prior to the shooting.  The man was armed with a knife and had threatened to obtain a firearm.

Commissioner Darren Hine said officers from the Professional Standards Unit had travelled to Beechford to conduct investigations.

“These incidents are, of course, taken extremely seriously and the Professional Standards Unit will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this matter,” Mr Hine said.

“We have been in contact with the man’s family, and all officers involved have been offered counselling, in line with normal practice.

“It’s of course unfortunate when incidents such as this occur – they are distressing for all concerned – but police officers face violent situations on a daily basis.”

The Integrity Commission has been advised of the incident.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2996