An investigation is underway after a man was discharged from hospital just hours before he barricaded himself in an apartment block and threatened a woman in Adelaide’s north overnight.
The 44-year-old man died in hospital in the early hours of this morning from self-inflicted injuries.
Police went to a unit at Mawson Lakes just before midnight after receiving “a number” of calls that a man had been threatening a woman with a sword.
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Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said upon arrival officers could hear noise coming from inside an apartment, which was barricaded.
Duval said police were able to get partial entry into the unit, where they saw the man holding a sword.
“Police attempted to negotiate with him and in an effort to get the man to drop the sword, they deployed a Taser and at this stage, police were still outside the unit,” he said.
“The Taser was unsuccessful and the man remained in possession of the sword, which he was putting through the partially closed door.
“Police deployed spray into the unit but given the door was closed they could not see what the spray caused. They were successfully able to deploy a Taser, which allowed them to get entry into the unit.”
Police entered the apartment and were “confronted” with a “disturbing” scene, according to Duval.
“They disarmed the man with the sword and restrained him,” he said.
“It was then they saw the man had significant lacerations to his arms and legs and was suffering very severe injuries.
“Police restrained him but given his medical condition, they administered first-aid.”
The man was treated by paramedics at the scene and was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
The 41-year-old woman inside the property had suffered a laceration to her arm and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
She had barricaded herself in a room during the incident.
“It was an extremely traumatic situation for her,” Duval said.
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Police said the pair had known each other, but confirmed it was not a domestic violence incident.
Duval also revealed police had been called out to an incident involving the man at 5.27am yesterday, about 15 hours earlier.
Police attended an address after receiving reports the man had been threatening people.
He was “agitated” and was taken to hospital via ambulance, according to Deval.
The assistant commissioner said the matter had been declared a death in custody and was now subject to a coronial investigation.
A commissioner’s inquiry will also be launched to examine the circumstances around police attendance and the prior involvement and interaction with the man.
Duval said support was being provided to not only the victim but also the police who responded to the scene.
“This was an extremely confronting scene for the attending police (who) deployed all their training to negotiate with the man and there was a significant amount of blood in the unit,” he said.
“We are providing support (for those) who (were) confronted with something very disturbing.”
Duval confirmed he believed the man’s injuries were self-inflicted.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
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