A dramatic police operation in Victoria’s Central Goldfields has ended with a man being shot dead after a seven-hour standoff at a rural property in Daisy Hill.
The incident began just after 3 pm on Thursday when reports were received that a man had fired a gun at another person along Menzies Drive, about 50 kilometres north of Ballarat. According to police, the 39-year-old suspect narrowly missed his intended target, an older man, before fleeing the scene.
When officers arrived, they discovered the alleged gunman had taken shelter inside a neighbour’s shed, where he made multiple threats to harm police and claimed to be armed with a knife and explosives. The property owners were not at home at the time and are not believed to have known the man.
“There’s no suggestion the occupants of the property were involved or even aware he was there,” said Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger of Victoria Police’s Western Region.
Specialist Police Teams Deployed
Due to the escalating threat, specialist police units, including the Critical Incident Response Team, the Special Operations Group, and the Dog Squad, were called to the scene. Negotiators attempted to communicate with the man for several hours but were unsuccessful in their efforts.
“Throughout the evening, the man made it clear he was not willing to cooperate,” Assistant Commissioner Grainger said.
The situation reached a critical point shortly before 10 pm when the man reportedly exited the shed holding a firearm and fired at officers. Police returned fire, fatally wounding him at the scene.
No police officers or members of the public were injured during the exchange.
Homemade Firearm and Bomb Threats
Initial investigations suggest the weapon used by the man was a homemade shotgun, though this is yet to be confirmed through forensic testing. Police are also working to determine the credibility of his claims about possessing explosives.
“We believe the firearm was not commercially manufactured, and we are still investigating whether there were any actual explosives involved,” Assistant Commissioner Grainger explained.
The man’s identity has not been formally released, and the motive behind his confrontation with the older man remains under investigation.
Community in Shock After Rural Siege
The incident has left the small Daisy Hill community shaken. The quiet rural area was turned into a crime scene as heavily armed police and emergency vehicles descended on the property.
Many residents expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in their normally peaceful neighbourhood.
“It’s hard to imagine something like this happening in Daisy Hill. It’s usually so quiet out here,” one resident said.
Investigation Underway
Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad has taken over the investigation, as is standard procedure in incidents involving police use of lethal force. The Professional Standards Command will oversee the process to ensure accountability and transparency.
The State Coroner has also visited the scene, and a thorough forensic examination is underway.
Assistant Commissioner Grainger defended the actions of police, stating they had worked tirelessly to resolve the situation peacefully.
“Our officers did everything possible to bring this to a safe conclusion. Unfortunately, when he fired at police, they were left with no choice,” Grainger said. “It’s an incredibly tragic situation for everyone involved.”
Recent Police-Involved Shootings Spark Broader Debate
This incident follows several recent police-involved shootings in Victoria, including a fatal shooting in South Melbourne in May, where a woman was shot after allegedly driving towards officers, and another in Footscray in April, where a man was shot after reportedly rushing at police with a knife.
These events have prompted public discussions around the use of force, mental health response, and crisis de-escalation tactics.
Despite the broader debate, police emphasised that officers at the Daisy Hill siege faced an immediate threat to their safety and acted accordingly.
“No one wants to see situations like this happen, least of all our members,” Grainger added. “But when confronted with armed individuals making threats, their priority has to be protecting themselves and the community.”
Public Reassured, No Ongoing Threat
Authorities have confirmed there is no further risk to residents, and no other suspects are being sought in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit information confidentially online.
