A South Australian police officer is receiving treatment for serious injuries after being stabbed during a confrontation in Adelaide’s northern suburbs this morning.
The alleged attacker was shot by police during the incident and has also been hospitalized.
According to police, the female officer sustained a serious neck injury after she was stabbed while responding to reports of an armed man. The 27-year-old suspect suffered a gunshot wound to the leg after officers opened fire. Authorities said his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Police said officers were called to Main North Road at Elizabeth East at about 11 a.m. following reports of a man carrying a knife and running onto the roadway.
Acting Assistant Commissioner David O’Donovan said SA Police was focused on supporting the injured officer and acknowledged the response of emergency personnel.
“During the confrontation a police officer was stabbed in the neck,” he said.
“We are providing appropriate support for her colleagues and of course for her family.
“She is currently receiving treatment … [and] her injuries are considered serious.”
Authorities confirmed there is no continuing threat to the community and urged anyone who witnessed the incident to assist investigators.
“The response by police this morning was a swift response and they responded to what was clearly an evolving and very rapidly dangerous situation,” the acting assistant commissioner said.
“Their actions today were in response to an immediate threat posed by an armed individual.”
A significant emergency response remained at the scene throughout the day, with part of Main North Road closed to southbound traffic from Midway Road. Numerous police vehicles were deployed, while investigators cordoned off a large section of the area extending from the roadway to a nearby nature reserve adjacent to the Playford City Tennis Centre.
Acting Assistant Commissioner O’Donovan said detectives from Major Crime and internal investigators had begun examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. He said establishing the exact sequence of events would be a key focus of the investigation and confirmed officers intended to interview the suspect as soon as possible.
“He has [allegedly] stabbed a police officer so he will be facing some very serious charges,” the acting assistant commissioner said.
“The circumstances will be the subject of that investigation.”
Resident Beverley Lock said she realized something serious had happened after her son returned home from walking the family dog.
“There were about 30 police cars,” she said.
“We were just alarmed by the number of police cars and lights and sirens going. It was very concerning.”
She said learning that an officer had been stabbed made the situation even more distressing.
“My heart goes out to the police officer just trying to do their job,” she said.
“Nobody’s life should be at risk for trying to help their community, so my heart is out there for the police officer and for the police officer’s family.”
Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or captured dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers as investigations continue.
Firefighters also assisted at the scene, with a Metropolitan Fire Service incident command vehicle and fire truck deployed to support the emergency response.
Police said the affected section of Main North Road would be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
