A man was fatally shot by police after he brandished a bow and arrow at them.
The incident occurred around 1:40 pm on Friday, January 16, when law enforcement officers were summoned to conduct a welfare check at a residence on Quia Road in Gunnedah, located approximately 450km northwest of Sydney. Upon engaging with the man outside the house, he reentered and emerged wielding a bow and arrow, allegedly targeting the officers.
As reported by a press release from the New South Wales Police, the officers sought refuge in their vehicle as the man took aim. Subsequently, a firearm was discharged by the police during the confrontation, resulting in the man’s demise despite attempts to save him at the scene.
A spokesperson for the NSW police stated, “A critical incident inquiry has been initiated following the fatal shooting of a man in the western region of the state today. At approximately 1:40 pm (Friday, January 16, 2026), law enforcement officers responded to a call at a residence on Quia Road, Gunnedah, in response to concerns for the individual’s well-being.
“Officers from the Oxley Police District engaged with the man outside the residence, but upon his return brandishing a bow and arrow, the situation escalated.
“Seeking cover in their vehicle, the police discharged a firearm when the man directed the weapon at them. The man received medical attention from NSW Ambulance paramedics for a gunshot wound; however, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
“A specialized team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will lead the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The investigation will undergo scrutiny by the Professional Standards Command and will be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).”
Individuals with any information pertaining to this incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information provided will be handled confidentially. The public is advised against sharing details via NSW Police social media platforms.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our <a data-testid="cipa-privacy-notice-link" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/privacy