Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Simon McCarthy

Officers stabbed in deadly Wickham confrontation released from hospital

Police on scene of shooting in Wickham | Newcastle Herald | April 7 2023

Two Newcastle police officers who were injured in a violent and deadly confrontation at Wickham have been discharged from hospital to recover at home.

The officers were following a lead in a theft investigation early on Friday, April 7, that brought them to a property on Bishopsgate Street at Wickham just before 8am.

As they arrived, they were confronted by a 38-year-old Toronto man armed with a knife who stabbed a male constable in the back and left another female constable with lacerations to her hands. Police opened fire on the man, who died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

Both officers were rushed to John Hunter Hospital, initially said to be in a serious but stable condition, where they remained overnight. On Monday, a spokeswoman for NSW Police said both officers had been discharged on Saturday.

The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene at Bishopgate Street, Wickham, on Friday morning, April 7 2023. Picture by Peter Lorimer

NSW Police Northern Region commander Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters outside Newcastle Police Station on Friday that the incident had been distressing.

"Policing is a dangerous job at times, there's no doubt about that. These two officers are very, very lucky to be sitting up alive and breathing after what was a very confronting and very dangerous situation.

"Police don't come to work looking to find themselves in these sorts of situations."

A Critical Incident Investigation has been launched to look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.

The inquiry will be run by the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad - the results of which will be independently reviewed.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.