A WANTED child sex offender has been shot dead after stabbing a police officer who arrived to arrest him at Maroubra Junction Hotel in Sydney’s south east.
Nick Newman, 33, stabbed a senior detective from the Child Sex Abuse squad twice in the torso before a second cop shot the attacker dead.
The 45-year-old wounded police officer is reportedly in a critical condition at St Vincent’s hospital in Darlinghurst.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said three detectives from the NSW sex crimes unit entered the pub’s beer garden at 3:25pm looking for a man in relation to sexual offences.
“The detectives approached the 33-year-old suspect in the beer garden of the hotel and while arresting the suspect, a 45-year-old detective sargent was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by the offender,” he said.
The two other detectives both discharged their guns but it was not clear how many shots were fired. Asst Commissioner Walton said the incident will be subject to an investigation.
“It’s fair to say this happened very quickly,” he said, adding that the man shot was a “senior officer” and the others present were “traumatised” by the event.
“I certainly know he’s very well regarded by his peers and there will be a lot of people very concerned about his condition tonight”.
St Vincent’s Hospital and NSW Ambulance would not comment on the condition of the police officer but it is understood he immediately required emergency surgery.
NSW Police Minister Troy Grant tweeted that his “thoughts and prayers are with the family and colleagues of the NSW Police officer injured in Maroubra this afternoon”.
“Thank you to the team at St Vincent’s caring for him now,” he wrote.
Newman was wanted on an arrest warrant for child sex offences. Police yesterday appealed for assistance from the community to locate him.
“The man has been known to frequent the Redfern, Sydney CBD, and Nepean areas.
He is described as being of Asian appearance, 170-180cm tall, 80-90kg with a large build and short black hair,” a police statement released on Thursday read.
In Maroubra this afternoon, bystander Nicholas Heiler told news.com.au he was across the road from the incident about 30 minutes after the attacker “was stretchered away”.
“I was in the underground carpark putting groceries away (when) all of a sudden 10-15 cops came through the carpark with guns drawn shouting for people to go inside or get in their cars,” he said.
“From the inside of my car I saw the cops surround a white sedan with a spoiler and then I drove off.
“(I’m) not sure if the guy in the car was an accomplice or what, but it was very tense down there.”
Pedro Casemiro was walking to the gym across the road from the hotel when he heard police cars rush past with their sirens.
He said he walked onto Maroubra Road in time to see scores of police officers running into the pub.
“Ten seconds later a lot of policemen started running around the hotel,” he said.
“The guys at the hotel said someone is shot, someone is dead.”
A spokeswoman for NSW Ambulance confirmed paramedics were called to the hotel on Anzac Parade at 3.10pm.
“One patient with multiple stab wounds was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a serious condition,” the spokeswoman said.
Patrons and staff were evacuated from the pub, along with nearby businesses.
“I was just working ... all of a sudden I hear about four or five gunshots next door,” a witness told 2GB.
“I look up, I go outside, there’s all these sirens there and I see a guy come out in handcuffs and another guy in a stretcher.”
Video has since emerged online of police cordoning off the area around the hotel.
Nearby Maroubra Road has been closed and there is a large police presence in the area.
A statement from NSW Police said a critical incident investigation has been launched following the incident.
“An officer attached to a specialist command sustained stab wounds and has been taken to hospital after a confrontation,” the statement read.
“A man died at the scene after a firearm was discharged.
“A critical incident team from the Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharging of the firearm.”
The investigation will be subject to independent review.
“All information will be provided to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the man’s death,” according to police.
Anyone who can assist Police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
— With AAP
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