Police were called to a laneway near Whitlock Street in South Kalgoorlie about 12.15pm on Friday and were confronted by a man holding a handgun.
The man approached three officers and after ignoring warnings, he was shot at least three times – twice by one officer and once by another.
The officers provided CPR on the man until paramedics arrived and took him to Kalgoorlie Hospital, where he later died.
Video from the officers’ body-worn cameras has been reviewed and a critical incident investigation will be led by the Major Crime Division with oversight from the internal affairs unit.
Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner Daryl Gaunt from WA Police praised the actions of the officers and paid respects to Dave’s family.
“From the body-worn video that I’ve seen, the officers acted with great courage and extremely professionally and in accordance with their training,” he said.
“I have great admiration for the job that they did and the courage that they showed in this instance, albeit we acknowledge the death of the gentleman and that’s a tragedy for his family as well.”
The man’s family requested he be referred to as Dave as they asked for privacy.
He is believed to be a local father and grandfather who worked in the town.
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“There is nothing in what we know about this gentleman that would suggest any ideology or any other issues that would have led to him making this decision but that will be a strong focus of the investigation,” he said.
It is not yet known whether the man’s handgun was loaded or real, with a “full ballistics investigation” underway.
The handgun was not licensed.
Dave did not fire any shots at police in the confrontation.
Support was being offered to the officers and Dave’s family, Gaunt said.
“Regardless of what happens in these instances, a life has been lost,” he said.
“That takes a toll on our people and we will continue to support them.
“The family has lost a loved one, they’re dealing with grief regardless of how it occurred.
“They’re doing it tough but they’re getting significant support.”