The Big Read: Sydney police shooting - friends ask why?

Those who knew the Auckland man who stormed into a Sydney police station brandishing a knife and threatening officers before he was shot and died have one question - why.

David Emery Petersen, 45, died on Tuesday in the west Sydney suburb of Quakers Hill, at the police station just 900m from his home.

According to police the scaffolder and father screamed "incomprehensibly" and threatened police officers and with a large knife at 10.40am.

During the confrontation an officer with 24 years' experience shot Petersen once in the upper body.

Minutes later, despite police performing CPR, he was dead.

New South Wales police are now piecing together what led Petersen, known to his family and friends as Big Dave, to behave in such a way.

Yesterday they refused to answer questions about his death, including whether he was known to them or if his mental health was being investigated.

NSW police spokesman David Rose said as the matter was a "critical incident" and the investigation was ongoing, no further comment could be made.

A friend of Petersen said he "wasn't well" and was a victim of "our atrocious mental health system".

NSW Health could not comment last night on the case but hoped to have more information today.

NSW police Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said on Tuesday that he had "no idea of [Petersen's] motive".

"... why the man came there, why the confrontation [occurred], at this stage we just don't know."

Quakers Hill police station remained closed until about 4.30pm yesterday (NZT) as a critical incident team drawn from NSW's homicide command unit carried out a scene examination.

Their investigation is ongoing and a report will also be prepared for the Coroner.

David Petersen reportedly screamed "incomprehensibly" and threatened police officers and with a large knife. Photo / Facebook

A Kiwi upbringing

The Herald understands Petersen was raised in the Mangere area but had been living in Australia for many years.

According to his LinkedIn profile he attended Aorere College and then Penrose High School in the mid-80s where he played rugby, volleyball and was a member of the Pacific Island dance group.

His family could not be reached for comment, however paid tribute to Petersen on social media and asked those who knew him not to speak publicly about his death.

Earlier his brother Alex Petersen, who also lives in Sydney and works as a scaffolder, posted on Facebook.

"I am so going to miss you David so so much. I'm lost for words my dearest friend and brother in life. You were always my hero," he said.

Petersen's nephew Sione Halo said he had a "massive heart" and always had time for a chat.

"(You) picked me up when I was down and told me to just keep smiling," he posted on Facebook.

Another nephew AJ Peterson said he was waiting for his uncle to call say the shooting was "all a sick joke".

"You were my idol growing up, the bloke I wanted to be like the one I always wanted to impress - but as we got older you told me partying wasn't everything and you were proud of the man I had become," he wrote.

"In my darkest moments you were there for me, you got me back on my feet and you gave me my first tool belt and the job that would mould the awesome life I live now.

"You were always there to talk to and you never judged me. You were my second father, the one that always pulled me up... I wish I had one more chance to tell you how much I love you and how much you meant to all of us and also how thankful I am for everything you done for me - you saved my life.

You were more than just my uncle you were my best friend, my inspiration, my saviour."

New South Wales police are piecing together what led Petersen to behave in such a way. Photo / Peter Kelly

"Nothing out of the ordinary"

Petersen's neighbours on Highland Rd in Quakers Hill were reeling from his violent death.
One told ABC News that there was no hint of trouble before the fatal incident.

"He leaves for work at five o'clock in the morning and comes back three in the afternoon - does his eight hours," he said.

"It's just a shock - he didn't show any signs or anything - you know any problem with the family, everyone was happy, the kids were playing, I just don't understand."

Irena Wood told The Daily Telegraph she often saw Petersen with his kids and there was "nothing out of the ordinary" about him.

He had lived there for two or three years.

"He was just a really quiet neighbour," she said.

Over the years Petersen worked for a number of scaffolding companies. One of the most recent was Skwyard Scaffolding.

Quakers Hill police station remained closed until about 4.30pm yesterday. Photo / Stephen Cooper

"He only ever worked with us for a week or so. We only knew him a very short time," a company spokesperson told the Herald.

"All I know about him is that he was a good person. May he rest in peace."
Notion Taua worked with Petersen recently.

"I'm sitting in our smoko shed looking at Dave's seat straight opposite my table," he wrote on social media.

"Can't believe he's gone. Was only last Saturday we were working together."
Petersen's friends on both sides of the Tasman spoke highly of him.

He was described as a "the life of the party", "the joker", and a humble, gentle man.
Tom Kasipale said Petersen was "a great loss".

"He played league for the Otahuhu Leopards, he had loads of talent and would make his team play hard because he would set the example - run hard, hit hard.

"He was kind and very passive, never violent and was always caring. I'm shocked to hear this...

Young guys coming through the ranks in league would look up to him."
Scaffolder Oscar Schubert said Petersen taught many youngsters the tricks of the trade.

"You were the man bro, teaching us respect when we came into the scaffing game," he said.