A 71-year-old man has been found dead following a violent confrontation with police in Canberra's southern suburbs, after he fired multiple shots at officers attempting to arrest him.
Standoff in Isabella Plains
The incident unfolded on Saturday, November 22, when ACT Policing officers arrived at a residence on Galloway Street, Isabella Plains, at approximately 7:50pm. Their mission was to arrest the man for serious family violence offences allegedly committed against his partner earlier that same day.
Upon the officers' arrival, the situation escalated rapidly. The 71-year-old man fired multiple shots at the police, who subsequently returned fire. The man then barricaded himself inside a shed on the property and refused to communicate with negotiators.
Major Police Response and Evacuations
The area was immediately secured as a critical incident. Galloway Street was closed to the public, and nearby residents were evacuated from their homes as a safety precaution.
A significant police presence descended on Isabella Plains, including specialist units. The AFP Tactical Response Team, Bomb Response Team, and trained negotiators all attended the scene in an effort to peacefully resolve the dangerous standoff.
Tragic Conclusion and Ongoing Investigations
After a four-hour stalemate, police entered the shed at 11:50pm. Inside, they discovered the man deceased. While the exact cause of death is yet to be formally determined, police suspect his injuries were self-inflicted.
A coroner is now overseeing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. In accordance with standard procedure, the matter is also being treated as a critical incident and is under investigation by ACT Policing's Criminal Investigations and AFP Professional Standards.
The man's partner, who was the victim of the earlier alleged family violence, is currently receiving treatment in hospital for her injuries. Thankfully, no police officers were physically harmed during the incident. Welfare services have been arranged to support the responding officers.
