Knife-wielding man is shot dead by police after advancing on officers on a Melbourne freeway during dramatic stand-off
- Man shot dead in dramatic standoff with police on Melbourne's Monash Freeway
- Police responding to reports motorist blocking traffic at EastLink interchange
- Officers were negotiating with knife-wielding man when he was shot by police
- Aerial images from the scene show a body in the far left lane of the freeway
A man wielding a knife has been shot dead by police in a dramatic stand-off on one of Melbourne's busiest freeways.
Police were called to the on-ramp of the Monash Freeway at the EastLink interchange in Dandenong North around 9.30am on Thursday following initial reports of a 'distressed' man blocking traffic.
Police were trying to calm the visibly agitated man, 53, when he allegedly pulled out a knife and advanced on officers wearing body-worn cameras as the incident unfolded in front of passing motorists.
The man was shot twice in the chest by an officer with a semiautomatic firearm and died at the scene.
'At this point of time, there is nothing to indicate to me that our police members did everything they could to resolve this matter but unfortunately it has ended sadly with someone losing their life,' Southern Metropolitan Region Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill told reporters.
'It is a sad occasion certainly for the family, the loved ones, the friends of this deceased male. It's a sad occasion for the community of Victoria, the local community here, and certainly a tragic event for our police now to deal with.'
A man has been shot dead in a dramatic standoff with police on Melbourne's Monash Freeway
He confirmed the Narre Warren man was known to police but had 'limited interaction' with authorities and had no criminal record.
Assistant Commissioner Hill described the incident as a 'mental health episode'.
'We're still trying to understand why, you know, what's motivated, what's triggered this situation, where the male has seen the need to stop on the side of the freeway and, again, act in a way that has caused police to arrive here at the scene,' he said.
Multiple police vehicles and paramedics remain at the scene of the closed freeway, where aerial images show a body in the far left lane.
The man involved in the police stand-off was 'aged about 50 or 60', according to one witness.
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Police remain at the scene near the EastLink interchange of the Monash Freeway where a man was shot dead by officers
'They had guns drawn on the assailant,' one man told ABC Radio.
'I don't know if it was a pursuit and they have pulled him up over there or why he's in that position.'
One officer suffered minor injuries.
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the incident which will be oversighted by Professional Standards Command.
'Our understanding is that members have acted in self-defence, operating in an extremely dangerous environment,' Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said.
'We are currently providing immediate wellbeing and other support to all members involved.'
Police urge any passing motorists with dashcam footage of Thursday's incident to come forward. Pictured are police at the scene afterwards
Police have assured there was no ongoing threat to the community.
All citybound lanes are closed on the freeway at the EastLink interchange, which has sparked significant delays and brought traffic to a standstill.
'The scene is under the control of Victoria Police,' a Department of Transport statement read.
'The Monash Freeway will open as soon as it is safe to do so.'
Citybound motorists are urged to use the Princes Highway, where there are delays in both directions.
The fatal shooting comes weeks after four Melbourne police officers were killed on the Eastern Freeway.
Anyone with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For confidential support call Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
Citybound lanes are closed at the EastLink interchange on the Monash Freeway (pictured)
