'You started this war': Backup police rushed to Cowra after Indigenous man shot by cop
Police are on alert in the New South Wales town of Cowra, after an officer shot an Indigenous man in the buttocks.
Dennis Doolan, 32, is recovering in hospital after the confrontation on Wednesday, which has sparked claims of racial violence in the central west town.
Mr Doolan’s cousin took a photo of the scene in the moments before the gun was fired, saying he was unarmed at the time.
He posted two images on Facebook, with the caption: "Pure racism at its finest".
But police said Mr Doolan was armed with a screwdriver and bat at some point during the incident.
A witness on the scene told the Daily Mail that Mr Doolan allegedly smashed a plate and ran at police with a screwdriver and then again with the handle of an axe. The axe did not have a blade.
The officers were attempting to arrest him over a number of warrants.
Mr Doolan's family were attending a funeral at the time of the shooting, but rushed to the scene where they confronted the officers.
According to witnesses, the family were shouting, "black lives matter!" and "this is not America!".
Extra police have been since been sent in from Orange and Bathurst to deal with escalating tension in the area.
“To the police, you better watch yourselves cause you started this war,” one local woman told 7 News.
NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said authorities are doing all they can to relieve the situation.
“We’d urge the community down there to remain calm,” Asst Comm McKechnie said.
New South Wales Police have launched a critical incident investigation and are interviewing all of the officers involved.
Mr Doolan was flown by helicopter to Orange Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
News break – September 29
