A hammer-wielding man made a series of threatening phone calls to a family member before he was shot dead by police in south Sydney, sources have revealed.
NSW Police were called to a house in Brighton-Le-Sands about 9:00pm yesterday, after reports a man was behaving erratically.
Detectives tracked his mobile phone for a few hours before the man, 51, was found in a field off Bay Street at Rockdale just before midnight.
Police said he was armed with a hammer and meat tenderiser.
Assistant Police Commissioner Mick Willing said the officers tried to negotiate with the man, but the situation escalated.
"I'm advised that he ran at them and the police officers attempted to taser the man before an officer fired a single shot that struck the 51-year-old male," he said.
"Officers rendered first aid to the male before he was taken by ambulance to St George Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased."
One man in the area told the ABC he heard the gunshot, while other neighbours said they heard nothing.
The confrontation was captured on body-worn cameras used by officers.
"It happened within split seconds so it is one of those confronting situation for officers who have to attend these circumstances," Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Willing said.
"Our thoughts remain with those who know the 51-year-old man and of course we are doing all we can for the officers involved."
The circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting will be the subject of a critical incident investigation.
That probe will be independently reviewed, and key evidence will be given to the NSW coroner.
"No police officer goes to work wanting this to happen, so it's a tragic set of circumstances," the Assistant Police Commissioner said.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
