Wannanup man is tasered and shot by police

A man who allegedly lunged at police with a large knife has died in hospital after being tasered by police officers and then shot after refusing to drop the blade. 

The knife-wielding man was told to drop his weapon by police on Sunday morning in Wannanup, south of Perth.

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.

The knife-wielding man was told to drop his weapon by police on Sunday morning in Wannanup, south of Perth

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.

A man from Wannanup Alan Wenlock told ABC the area had been a ‘haven for drug dealers at night.’

He added: ‘What happened was an incident waiting to happen.’ 

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

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.  

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