Armed man, 53, shot dead by police after stand-off on Monash Freeway

A 53-year-old man from Narre Warren has been fatally shot by police after a stand-off on the Monash Freeway in Melbourne this morning. Victoria Police were called to the scene at Dandenong North at around 9.30am, following reports that there was a distressed male in the emergency lane.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill delivered a press conference shortly before 1pm on Thursday to discuss the “tragic and sad” incident. Hill confirmed that the man had brandished a knife and advanced on police officers as they attempted to try and calm him down.

“There was some agitation on behalf of the male,” Hill told reporters. “We tried to calm the male down … the male has produced a knife and advanced on police members. It was during that encounter that they tried tactical withdrawal.”

Police officers then tried to use non-lethal force to subdue the distressed male, which proved unsuccessful. It was then that two shots were fired, with police hitting the man in the chest. He died at the scene.

The deceased has not yet been named as police are still in the process of informing his next of kin. While Hill confirmed that the man was known to Victoria Police, he said the knowledge was “limited” and there was no criminal record.

“We are still trying to understand what’s triggered this situation,” Hill added.

An investigation into the incident will now be carried out by Homicide detectives, overseen by Professional Standards Command. However Hill confirmed that, in addition to footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras, there were a number of witnesses as several drivers stopped to assist the police with the operation, while a number of Victoria Roads workers were also in the area. Cameras on the freeway are also thought to have captured the event in full.

Hill added: “It is a sad occasion for the family, loved ones, the friends of this male … and certainly a tragic event for our police to deal with.”

One police officer was also “slightly injured”, having been knocked to the ground during the engagement.