Police have closed off the Lincoln Rd motorway overpass as they respond to an unfolding incident.
Video / Supplied / Dean Purcell
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found police were justified in shooting an armed man who attempted two carjackings in West Auckland.
Police responded to an incident on September 27, 2023, after they received information about a stolen vehicle involved in an aggravated robbery at a petrol station.
Atthe time, police said they sighted a vehicle of interest on Te Atatū Rd on the Te Atatū Peninsula.
There was an attempt to block the vehicle in at the petrol station, but the driver rammed other vehicles to escape.
Police units pursued the vehicle on the Northwestern Motorway before it exited at Lincoln Rd.
The driver left the vehicle on the Lincoln Rd overbridge with a long-barrelled firearm, unsuccessfully attempting to carjack multiple vehicles.
An armed man was chased and shot by police at the Lincoln Road flyover at Henderson across State Highway 16.
Armed police arrived at the scene with the man pointing the gun toward the first officer. He would not drop it despite being instructed to by officers.
The man continued, then opened the door of a truck and pointed the weapon at the driver.
An officer then fired their pistol at the man, injuring him and he was then taken to hospital for surgery.
IPCA found Police were justified in shooting a man in September 2023. Photo / Supplied
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) said police were justified in shooting the man and exercised appropriate command and control of the incident.
Waitematā district commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said the police frontline was often required to respond and make split-second decisions “in situations unfolding rapidly, to keep people safe”.
A white truck at the scene with bullet holes in its windscreen. Photo / Hayden Woodward
IPCA found the use of force with a firearm was reasonable and proportionate.
Hassan said it was clear the man posed an imminent threat.
“The entirety of this incident unfolded in around 10 minutes, and our staff moved forward with courage given what was taking place on the overbridge.
Armed police at the September 2023 Lincoln Rd incident in Henderson. Photo / Dean Purcell
“I’m incredibly proud of our Police Officers on that day.”
In September, a 31-year-old man was convicted and sentenced at the Auckland High Court for presenting a firearm at a person.
