Fresh details have emerged of the moments police shot dead a gun-wielding man in front of a country NSW police station.
An investigation is under way into the fatal shooting of Corey Selby in the front yard of Tenterfield police station in the state’s north on Thursday afternoon.
A man who witnessed the confrontation says an armed Mr Selby jumped out of his ute outside of the station, closely followed by a Highway Patrol car.
“I heard (police) say three times, ‘Put the gun down’,” Isaac Dillon told Ten News.
“There were the two (police officers) standing in front of him from the Highway Patrol and about five or six maybe behind him.
“About six, seven shots were fired off and then the person dropped to the ground.”
The shootout came after neighbours called police when they saw Mr Selby waving a gun.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Egginton told reporters on Friday had no choice but to shoot.
“Police don’t ever at any point in their careers go to work thinking they are going to use their firearms,” Assistant Commissioner Stephen Egginton told reporters on Friday.
“But at the end of the day if someone points a firearm at them, they need to defend themselves.”
Mr Egginton said police had responded to a concern for welfare at the Mr Selby's property earlier on Thursday.
The confrontation took place when the man showed up at the police station with a firearm about 4.45pm the same day.
“It was pouring down heavily with rain at the time which added an extra element of danger,” Mr Egginton said.
Police called paramedics and attempted to save the man after he was disarmed, however, he died at the scene.
Police said they had had “limited interaction” with Mr Selby in the past.
A critical incident investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances around the incident.
The team will investigate the discharge of a police firearm and the investigation will be subject to an independent review.
Mr Egginton said the family of the 48-year-old man was “devastated by the entire situation”.
“We want to be able to give them some answers,” he said.
The officers involved with the incident and the dead man’s family are receiving welfare support from NSW Police.
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