Christchurch Police shooting leaves woman dead, man critically injured after knife incident

Police say a woman fatally shot in a Christchurch police shooting advanced on officers with a hunting knife and ignored warnings to drop the weapon. The incident occurred late Wednesday night, August 13, at a home on Clyde Road in Bryndwr.

Superintendent Tony Hill said police were called shortly after 11 p.m. following a report from someone who knew the couple but was not at the scene. The caller said a man armed with a knife was threatening to harm himself and his partner.

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According to police, the woman ran from the house, followed by the man carrying a hunting knife. Officers believed she was in imminent danger and one officer shot the man once, critically injuring him. Hill said when an officer approached to provide first aid, the woman picked up the knife and advanced on police, ignoring repeated instructions to drop it.

“A second shot was fired at the woman. Officers immediately provided medical assistance, however unfortunately she has died at the scene,” Hill said.

The same officer fired both shots from a police-issued long-barrel firearm.

Investigation under way into fatal Police shooting

The injured man was taken to a hospital in critical condition but was later listed in stable condition. Police said the man and woman were the only people at the address at the time. Hill described the situation as “highly dynamic” and reiterated that police do not have a “shoot to kill” policy.

“Our staff use firearms in the protection of themselves and others,” Hill said.

Local resident Nathan Light said he knew the couple and had concerns about the man’s mental state in recent days. Another neighbor described the pair’s relationship as volatile, noting police were frequent visitors to the home.

Scene guards remain outside the Clyde Road property, with road closures and a visible police presence continuing as the investigation proceeds. A drone was deployed Thursday morning, August 14, and multiple police vehicles were at the scene.

Hill confirmed next of kin have been notified. The incident is under investigation as a critical incident and has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

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According to The Homicide Report, 36 people have been shot dead by police in New Zealand since 2004.