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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Northern Territory Police Officer Fires Gun Twice While Trying to Stop Stolen Vehicle

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • A Northern Territory police officer fired two shots in Palmerston while attempting to stop a stolen vehicle.
  • The incident occurred after reports of a man allegedly armed with a blunt weapon trying to break into houses and stealing car keys.
  • The vehicle was later found abandoned, and no injuries were reported; the circumstances are under investigation.

A police officer in Australia's Northern Territory discharged their firearm twice in an attempt to halt a stolen vehicle in Palmerston. The incident unfolded after authorities received multiple reports concerning a man allegedly armed with a blunt object, who was attempting to gain entry into residences in Bakewell, south-east of Darwin.

Police can confirm one officer drew their firearm and allegedly discharged two rounds during the incident in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

— NT Police spokespersonDescribing the moment the officer fired their weapon during the pursuit of the stolen vehicle.

According to police, the suspect allegedly stole the keys to a silver Toyota Corolla from a residence in Firefly Court. As officers confronted the individual while he was entering the vehicle and attempting to flee, one officer drew their weapon and fired two rounds. The spokesperson confirmed the vehicle continued to evade the scene.

The entire circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.

— NT Police spokespersonConfirming that a thorough investigation into the events has been launched.

The stolen car was subsequently discovered abandoned in bushland off Roystonea Avenue. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The Northern Territory Police confirmed that the entire sequence of events is under investigation, with the use of force being declared a serious custody incident subject to review by the Professional Standards Command.

The use of force has been declared a serious custody incident and will be subject to the appropriate investigative processes with oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

— NT Police spokespersonDetailing the protocol for investigating the use of force by the officer.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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