A man shot in the buttock by police in Cowra was allegedly chased through the streets of the central western NSW town after threatening police and residents with weapons over 40 minutes.
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Dennis 'DJ' Doolan, 32, sustained a single gunshot wound to his left buttock following the confrontation in Jindalee Circuit at 12.10pm on Wednesday.
A witness, Justin, posted a dramatic photo of the encounter on Facebook showing an officer pointing his firearm at an Indigenous man in a red T-shirt who appears to have his arms up and his back to the officer.
The photo immediately sparked fury among some Cowra residents and relatives of Mr Doolan, who accused the police of racism and threatened to protest.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said the photo was taken earlier in the day, during one of several confrontations with police that didn't involve a shooting.
Other images show Mr Doolan some time later, with his red T-shirt removed and a black singlet on, laying handcuffed on the road after being shot.
Fairfax Media has been told police had been searching for Mr Doolan on Wednesday after he had allegedly committed property offences in the area and had been chased from several premises.
He allegedly armed himself with various weapons, including a screw driver and a broken plate, during a string of confrontations with police over about 40 minutes.
He was chased through backyards and neighbouring streets and residents reported being told to lock their windows and doors.
It's understood he was running away from police and also swung a wooden pole or baseball bat at a female officer.
"They shot him in the buttocks," one witness said.
"He's pretty bad. He was running away from them but somebody said before that he had a baseball bat."
After the shooting, Mr Doolan's family, who had been at a funeral nearby, arrived on the scene and began to confront police.
Extra police arrived shortly afterward to control a crowd that had gathered.
Police have been brought in from Mudgee, Tamworth, Dubbo and Orange in case tensions boil over.
The Cowra Guardian reported that the shooting followed another related incident in the area on Wednesday morning which involved an altercation between two women and a break and enter.
The dispute escalated further and police were called.
Mr Doolan was flown to Orange Base Hospital on Wednesday afternoon for further treatment.
He was in a serious but stable condition with a gunshot wound to his lower back, police said.
A critical incident investigation has been launched and police are calling for witnesses to come forward.
Police have a statement on the incident, saying they will investigate the shooting:
“A critical incident has been launched after a police shooting in Cowra today.
About 12.10pm (Wednesday 28 September 2016) emergency services were called to Jindalee Circuit.
On arrival officers located a man and attempted to speak with him.
During a confrontation, the man was shot by police.
The officers treated him at the scene until the arrival of NSW Ambulance Paramedics who conveyed him to Cowra Airport where he was airlifted to Orange Base Hospital.
The 32-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition with a gun-shot wound to his lower back.
A Critical Incident Team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm.
That investigation will be subject to independent review.
No further details are available at this time however police are calling for witnesses to come forward.”