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Man armed with knives shot dead after being tasered by police

West Australian police have shot dead an armed man as he threatened an officer, despite being tasered.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Steel says he’s confident the two police officers involved – an experienced male sergeant and a female constable – acted within protocols and their training.

“On the information that I have to date there are no concerns in relation to the officers,” he told reporters on Sunday.

The man, who is yet to be formally identified, was shot once after police ordered him to drop the knife in a street at Wannanup, south west of Perth.

A man has been shot by WA Police after threatening them with knives. Source: 7News
A man has been shot by WA Police after threatening them with knives. Source: 7News

He did but then drew a larger knife and approached one of the officers.

Both officers tried to taser him but that proved ineffective.

“The shot was fired by the officer who was directly at threat,” Mr Steel said.

The officers had been called to Rodd Ct around 12.20am on Sunday after reports of a man acting suspiciously.

Police at the scene of the shooting in WA. Source: 7News
Police at the scene of the shooting in WA. Source: 7News

The officers administered CPR before the man was rushed to Peel Health campus where he later died.

Mr Steel said the officers were “holding it together” in what was a tragic incident for both them and the victim’s family.

The officers are expected to remain off operational duty until they were found to be physically and psychologically ready to return to work, he said.

Homicide squad and Internal Affairs are investigating the incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.