‘Horrific’: Police officers stabbed, offender shot dead at Crystal Brook
UPDATED: An SA Police officer has “life-threatening, critical injuries” and another is in a serious condition after both were stabbed at Crystal Brook in the state’s mid-north, before the man who attacked them was shot dead.
SA Police this afternoon said that officers from Port Germain and Crystal Brook attended a Symons Street home at 10.15 this morning on an enquiry.
“While at the home an occupant allegedly stabbed the two officers where they both sustained serious injuries,” the police statement said.
“The man was then shot by police and he died at the scene.”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said a short time ago that the Port Germain officer had sustained “life-threatening critical injuries” with stab wounds to the neck, arm and hands.
The Crystal Brook officer was stabbed in the right leg and arm and is in a serious but stable condition.
They have been flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Stevens said the two officers were following up a “minor disturbance” that occurred at a local supermarket on Tuesday.
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“On their arrival, they were confronted by an occupant of the house they were attending and as a result of that confrontation, both police officers have been stabbed and the occupant has been shot by police,” Stevens told reporters.
“This incident is now being investigated as a coronial inquiry and a commissioner’s inquiry.”
Stevens said a local resident on Symons Street was first on the scene and provided “urgent assistance” to one of the injured police officers.
“We’re very grateful for that person stepping forward and providing that critical support,” he said.
“I don’t have the specifics of exactly what that individual did, but they took it upon themselves to step into a situation they wouldn’t have a full appreciation of, potentially having heard gunshots.”
Stevens said both officers were wearing stab resistant vests and body worn video.
“Both of these police officers are highly regarded by their local community, they’re good people, they’re respected, the way they do their job is respected,” he said.
“I’m sure this will be felt quite harshly by those local communities.
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“This is not an indication of the type of activity that we normally see in small regional communities.
“But… we really don’t know what’s happening beneath the surface in some situations, and we can’t foresee what’s going to happen when we attend a task.”
"DEVELOPING: Two SA Police officers have been rushed to hospital, one in a ‘very bad way’, after they were stabbed at a Crystal Brook home. The attacker has been shot dead. The latest in 7NEWS Adelaide at 4pm and 6pm | https://t.co/yWaM4EImii #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/OfLncHQlD3"
"— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 3, 2023"
Premier Peter Malinauskas told parliament that police had responded to a “serious incident” at the town 200km north of Adelaide.
“I have been advised that two officers have been injured after an incident with an offender,” he said.
“That offender has been shot and is deceased. This is obviously an evolving situation and will be difficult news for the South Australian community to absorb.”
Malinauskas said: “Our frontline police do an inherently difficult and dangerous job each day when they go to work.”
“They exercise this duty with courage and bravery. My thoughts, and I’m sure those of all members, are with these two officers and their families.
“I would also like to extend our thoughts and well-wishes to the wider SAPOL family and to all officers who work so hard to keep our community safe.”
Police Association SA president Mark Carroll said it was a “horrifying reminder of the levels of extreme violence front-line police officers face in the line of duty”.
"I have just spoken to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens in relation to the high-risk incident at Crystal Brook. "
"My thoughts are with the two injured officers & their families."
"Our police put their lives on the line everyday keeping us safe, for that we are forever grateful."
"— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) May 3, 2023"
Police Minister Joe Szackacs said he had also been briefed by Stevens.
“This is horrific and should never be envisaged,” he said.
"A incident has resulted in two Police being seriously injured in the line of duty. I have been in contact with Commissioner Grant Stevens, and remain briefed. Police put themselves in harms way every day – but this is horrific and should never be envisaged."
"— Joe Szakacs MP (@joe_szakacs) May 3, 2023"
