A critical incident investigation is underway after police shot an armed man while attempting to arrest him in Lithgow this morning.
Just before 11am (Tuesday 11 October 2022), officers attached to Chifley Police District attended Lithgow Hospital to arrest a man.
The officers attempted to arrest the man outside the hospital, when he allegedly produced two knives and confronted them, before an officer discharged their firearm.
The 34-year-old man was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
He was later airlifted to Westmead Hospital, where he remains in a critical, but stable condition.
There were no other reports of injury.
A critical incident team comprised of officers from Central West Police District will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm.
That investigation will be subject to independent review.
No further details are available at this time; however; police are calling for any witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
