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National

Man shot dead by police in Perth after suspected 'family violence incident'

Police remain at the home where the man aged in his 30s was fatally shot.

A man has died after being shot by WA Police officers at a home in Perth's north-eastern suburbs.

Police said officers were responding to a "family violence incident" on Yenisey Crescent in Beechboro about 4:30pm on Thursday when the man, who was in his late 30s, confronted them and was shot.

The house remains cordoned off and a WA Police investigation overseen by the Internal Affairs Unit has been launched.

The man's sister, Oanh Tong, said she found out about her brother's death after arriving home from work and finding a large police presence on the street.

"My mum is very upset. We were not prepared to lose him … I got home and I was really frightened, I was not expected to lose my brother," she said.

"My brother didn't deserve to die."

Ms Tong suggested her brother was holding a knife before he was shot by officers, but said police were to blame for his death.

"I feel like my brother was threatened, that's why he held a knife," she said.

"When the police tried to break into the house, they told my mum to go outside.

"And my mum ran to the front with the two kids and [police] got into the house and I don't know what happened … [but] there were two shots. My nephew heard it."

'Tragic set of circumstances'

Police have released few details about the shooting but have confirmed officers went to the house in response to a family violence incident.

"Here police were confronted by a young man who was fatally shot by police," WA Police Commander Alan Morton said.

"What I can say is this is a tragic set of circumstances, our condolences and thoughts go to the family of the young man.

"We're also looking after the welfare of all officers involved in this incident.

"The police health and welfare officers are on-site and will continue with the officers involved and the extended family."

Police said as per normal practices, the Homicide Squad would investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The investigation will be overseen by the Internal Affairs Unit.

Neighbour questions actions of police

Neighbour Carol Quartermaine said she was horrified when she found out about the fatal shooting.

"There could've been kids playing outside … [then] we don't know what happens. Our children could've been involved in this," she said.

Ms Quartermaine questioned whether police could have dealt with the matter differently.

"That's what they've got tasers for. I don't understand shooting people dead," she said.

"[Why not] below the knee, disable them and then deal with the situation?"

Police said inquiries into exactly what happened would be exhaustive.

"The situation will be subject to a thorough investigation and [it] feeds into the coronial process, so this will be a protracted investigation," Commander Morton said.

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