PICTURED: Mesman shot dead by police after stabbing a cop in the armpit – as it has been revealed he had previously spent time behind bars after attacking a group of teenagers with an ax
- A NSW man was shot and killed by police
- He allegedly stabbed a cop in the armpit
- Revealed as a knife man with a criminal past
A man shot dead by police after stabbing an officer had a history of home burglaries and previously attacked a group of teenagers with an axe.
Police were called to a home in Wickham, near Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Friday morning due to reports of a robbery and encountered 38-year-old Warren Matthew Simon.
Simon allegedly jumped at the officers while armed with a knife, stabbing a male officer in the armpit, while a female officer suffered a hand injury.
The police then opened fire and Simon died on the way to hospital, despite the officers’ attempts to resuscitate him.
Both officers, aged 25 and 26, have been released from the hospital.
It has since been revealed that Simon had been in and out of custody and had previously been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the ax attack.
The targeted teenagers were not harmed and Simon was released from prison after serving two years and three months.
Warren Matthew Simon has been shot dead by police after stabbing an officer in Newcastle on Friday morning
Police were called to a house in Wickham, near Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Friday morning due to reports of a robbery and came across 38-year-old Warren Matthew Simon (photos are forensic at the scene)
During the Friday morning altercation, Simon allegedly stole a ute before driving it to a property where police tracked him down.
A friend, who declined to be named, revealed Simon’s criminal past after the incident.
“In a juvenile detention center since age 13, then at age 18, placed in prison for 10 years, first offense in and out, all his life without help, no rehabilitation, just released into the community with absolutely no life skills,” told the friend the Daily Telegraph.
“Institutionalized, (he) didn’t know how to get a house, he didn’t know how to adapt to society. Then they relapse and it’s a cycle that never ends.’
A NSW police spokesman said both officers are recovering well from the incident (pictured, a forensic officer at the scene)
Police said officers arrived at the property just before 8 a.m. Friday after reports of theft (pictured, forensic officers on scene)
Police suspect Simon was crouching at the scene of the shooting. He is supposed to have returned to the property after committing a robbery nearby.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said the circumstances surrounding the incident will be assessed as the officers involved recover.
“Subsequently, a critical incident investigation is now underway. The state homicide command runs that,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna added that he had seen the officers at the hospital and said the incident was “deeply upsetting” for them.