Police shoot man who ‘lunged at officers with a knife’ after responding to robbery in Gosnells

Police have shot a man who allegedly lunged towards officers with a knife as they responded to a robbery in Gosnells.

Officers were called to Wilsley Street about 5.40pm on Monday concerning an alleged robbery that occurred earlier in the day.

When they arrived, the officers “observed a man at the location with a knife and commenced negotiation attempts”, police said.

“The man refused to put down the knife and approached officers in a threatening manner,” a police spokeswoman said.

“An attending officer deployed a taser in an attempt to stop the man.

“The taser was successful, however; he remained in possession of the knife and lunged towards officers. During this time a police firearm was discharged.”

The man — aged in his 40s — was taken to Royal Perth Hospital by ambulance for treatment of gunshot wounds.

He is in a critical condition.

Officers from the major crime division and the internal affairs unit will investigate the incident as is standard practice when a police firearm is discharged.