Police cannot confirm if the gunman who died during the shooting incident in Darfield, Canterbury yesterday was shot dead by officers.
Police were called to a violent family harm incident area shortly after 4pm, following reports a 56-year-old man was threatening his family with a loaded firearm, Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price told media.
"This was a dynamic and extremely fast moving, critical incident," Superintendent Price said.
A police officer was struck by the gunman’s vehicle as he sped from the property, suffering multiple leg fractures.
Police were called to the address in the town of Darfield. (Source: Other)
The officer is in hospital in a stable condition awaiting surgery, Superintendent Price said.
Following the attack, police fired on the vehicle, which continued to travel down the Bangor Rd before doing a U-turn and heading back towards the officers when it stopped.
Other officers approached the vehicle and discovered the gunman had died, Superintendent Price said.
Superintendent Price could not confirm whether it was a police bullet that had killed the gunman.
Police had also not ruled out that the gunman had shot himself.
"He (the gunman) did pass away in that vehicle by what appears to be a gunshot wound," Superintendent Price said.
"I think we are extremely lucky we don’t have two police officers in hospital, I can say that both of these officers, I am very proud of their actions."
A robust and thorough investigation into the incident was underway to establish how the man had died.
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