Terrifying moment screaming cop is forced to shoot woman driver dead after being left crushed against wall by stolen car
THIS is the chilling moment a cop shot a woman dead after she crashed into him and pinned him against a wall.
CCTV captures the officer screaming in pain before firing four shots into the windscreen of the stolen Ford Territory in Australia.
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The shooting occurred after police responded to reports of a man allegedly armed with a machete in South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
As officers were making an arrest, a grey car struck one of them.
The driver, a 34-year-old woman, was killed while her male passenger, 26, suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.
The police officer was rushed to hospital with a broken leg.
A South Melbourne man, 39, was also taken to hospital as precaution.
He was later released and charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and stealing a bicycle.
Prior to the shooting, police reportedly wanted him in connection with unspecified offences.
The man was granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 12.
Victoria Police said that it is still too soon to determine if the occupants of the stolen vehicle had any connection to him.
The officer who opened fire has received backing by his colleagues and the Victorian Police Association.
Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Terese Fitzgerald said: "It appears his response to this incident has been in line with his training and we will give him all the support he needs."
She explained: "Every day our police members get in the divisional van and respond to incidents, that's the nature of the job.
"We are really grateful that his injuries are not more serious, it could have been far worse."
She added the officer had risked his life: "This is the kind of incident that all of our members are at risk of all the time."
"This is not a great day for you at work when this occurs, so yes, it is terrifying.
"The police are trained to respond in a certain way and that's what's taken place."
Victorian Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said officers often find themselves fighting for their lives while on duty.
Gatt said: "When a car's coming at you, there's not a lot you can do. It is literally a case of do or die."
He added: "This is what our (police) members are dealing with on a regular occasion … confronted by people in vehicles like this.
"It can be not only life-altering, but it can end your life.
'There's no magic wand for situations like this.'
Locals recalled the moment they witnessed the horror.
One bystander stand: "Well there were a few bangs, I'm not quite sure what they were but my wife sort of thought they might've been gunshots."
He added: "There was one policeman up with his back to the wall that was getting some attention from other policeman."
Victorian minister Steve Dimopoulos said: "Our thoughts are absolutely with the senior constable at hospital, his family, also the family and loved ones of the woman who passed away."
Possession of a machete will be banned in Victoria, Australia's second-most populous state, from September 1.
Dimopoulos said the machete ban "will be the only one in Australia".
He added: "The joint police say the machete ban can safely be implemented in September. That's what the Victorian government will do. We'll follow the police advice."
Detectives will investigate the incident under the oversight of the Professional Standards Command, in line with standard procedure for a fatal police shooting.
The police officer has been discharged from hospital.
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