IPCA finds police shooting of knife-wielder justified

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found a Christchurch police officer was justified in shooting a knife-wielding man during a city-wide rampage.

Zakariye Mohamed Hussein is currently serving a six-and-a-half year sentence after arming himself with a knife in March this year.

He broke into Redwood Primary School, stabbed two drivers and threatened another.

The 28-year-old Somali refugee was stopped on Hoon Hay Road, where police officers tried to subdue him using pepper spray, and taser which both failed.

Hussein ran towards one of the officers, who backed away and fired two shots from about two metres away.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has since found the shooting was justified.

Authority chair Judge Sir David Carruthers says the immediate actions of several officers demonstrated clear thinking, and professionalism in a rapidly unfolding, critical incident.

Photo: NZ Herald