A man has been shot dead after charging at police officers with a knife near an inner city shopping plaza.
Police were called to the corner of Paisley and Albert streets near Footscray Plaza, in Melbourne's inner west, about 9pm on Thursday.
Commander Tim Tully said two officers called to the scene told the man to drop the weapon.
"I'm told he didn't, and charged at police armed with a knife," Cmdr Tully told reporters on Friday.
"At that point, I'm told both police officers shot the man, causing fatal injuries."
The 35-year-old man of no fixed address was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
Homicide squad detectives will investigate the shooting with oversight from Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command, the internal anti-corruption division.
Cmdr Tully said the shooting was a "tragic incident" but stood by both officers' actions.
"In these circumstances the members deemed that the firearms were appropriate," he said.
"I have certainly informed both members that they have my full support with respect to their actions that they've been forced to take."
Shortly after the shooting, a separate group of men allegedly took aim at police and threw bottles at officers.
"The behaviour of those people involved is absolutely deplorable," Cmdr Tully said.
City of Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari said the shooting was "an incredibly distressing event" for the community.
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and everyone affected by this incident, including those who may have witnessed it," he wrote on social media.
Witnesses or anyone with more information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
