Courts & Police
5 October, 2026
Man had history of firearms offences
The man is yet to be formally identified but Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarth, confirmed earlier today (Monday) that he was known to police.
A 45-year-old man shot dead by police near Yass on Sunday had a history of firearms offences.
The man is yet to be formally identified but Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarth, confirmed earlier today (Monday) that he was known to police.
Speaking to media outside Wollongong Police Station on Monday morning, Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said police had responded to reports of a motor vehicle accident in Rugby Road, approximately 80km north of Yass, at 2.50pm on Sunday afternoon.
The man’s Chrysler station wagon had crashed into a tree.
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said police approached the vehicle to offer assistance when the driver – at first ‘unresponsive’ – allegedly pointed a rifle at them.
The rifle was later found to be loaded.
Police opened fire on the man and he was struck ‘a number’ of times.
He later died at the scene.
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said he had declared a critical incident investigation at 4pm on Sunday and the matter was now being investigated by the State Crime Command’s Homocide Squad.
He was unable to confirm where the man lived or where he was heading at the time of the incident.
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty sent his condolences to the deceased man’s friends and family.
He said his thoughts were also with the first responders who had been offered professional counselling.
He said it was something that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said police had been aware there was a firearm inside the vehicle when they arrived at the scene of the accident and described their actions in approaching the vehicle and attempting to render assistance to the driver as “quite brave”.
He said police officers were ‘close’ to the vehicle when they realised the man was armed and shots were discharged.
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said approximately six officers from The Hume Police District and the specialised Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were on the scene at the time.
He was unable to say how many shots were fired by police.
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