A man who was shot dead by police after pulling out a gun at a medical clinic on the NSW South Coast had a fake badge, 7NEWS can reveal.
Police were called to reports a patient was armed with a gun at the clinic on Junction St, Nowra just before 1pm on Wednesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Man shot dead during terrifying standoff with police
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Assistant commissioner Peter Cotter said the 34-year-old, who was known to staff at the clinic, became “extremely agitated” during a conversation with a doctor and made several “alarming” statements.
“Unprovoked, he produced a firearm,” Cotter said.
Staff at the clinic contacted police, who cordoned off Junction St as they began negotiations with the man.
Cotter said four people initially trapped inside the clinic were able to escape.
It is understood the armed man checked each room in the clinic to make sure he was the only one left inside.
About 2.40pm, the gunman left the clinic and confronted police — still while brandishing the gun.
Cotter said officers dropped a ballistic shield they had been holding as they spoke with the armed man.
The man then grabbed the shield, raised his gun in the air and at police before “a number of shots were fired by police” at the man.
Witnesses reported hearing “at least six gunshots all at once”.
“All the local cops had their guns out at that point, and we were waiting for the swat team to come in,” Holly Spence told 7NEWS.
Cotter could not confirm how many shots were fired by police, or whether the man fired any.
However, he said the man was hit multiple times.
He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
A gun, believed to be a Glock semi-automatic, was seized at the scene.
7NEWS can reveal the man also had a holster and fake badge.
The man is believed to be a South Coast local and was known to police through psychological medical episodes, police said.
7NEWS understands he had a history of schizophrenia and chronic pain.
“It’s a tragic time and tragic event for all of his family and all of his friends,” Cotter said.
A critical incident investigation has been launched as homicide squad detectives investigate.
– With Paul Kadak
