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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Guardian staff

Man dies after being shot by police amid alleged theft of car belonging to Labor MP’s husband

Stock image of New South Wales police badges
Police officers fired their guns at the car after it was allegedly driven at them. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

A man shot by police in Wentworthville in Sydney last week after an alleged car theft has died, NSW police said.

Two men were shot by police after officers were called to the scene at about 12.10pm on Friday, responding to a report of a stolen car in a Wentworthville car park in Sydney’s west. The officers fired their guns at the vehicle after it was allegedly driven at them.

The pair were discovered as a result of an in-vehicle tracker which led police to the car with the assistance of its owner, later confirmed to be the husband of the Labor MP for Penrith, Karen McKeown.

Officers then rendered first aid to the two men until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics, police said. The men were transported to Westmead hospital, where a 26-year-old man was in a “very serious” condition on Friday afternoon and the second, a 34-year-old man, was in a serious but stable condition.

NSW police said the 26-year-old man died in hospital on Wednesday.

Police said the five officers on the scene were not injured in the incident. Three shot their firearms and were assisting police with their inquiries.

A critical incident team from the state crime command’s homicide squad is investigating the incident and the investigation is also subject to an independent review.

In a statement on Friday after the incident, McKeown alleged her home was broken into on Thursday evening and her husband’s car was stolen. She said she reported the incident to the police.

“While I am shaken from the events, thankfully I am unharmed,” she said.

“I want to thank NSW police, in particular the local area command at both Penrith and Cumberland police for their prompt response.

“Political leaders often praise police for their bravery. Today, I have had a first-hand experience of this.”

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