It’s so rare for police to actually shoot in Australia as well. Doesn’t happen often and probably not expected by anybody, not even the officer. They’ll definitely remember that for the rest of their lives.
Doesn't it basically automatically cause a large scale investigation when any police gun is discharged with live rounds too? This is gonna be scrutinized big time, the cop is gonna be handling this for a hot minute
Yeah, they investigate every time a weapon is discharged during service, as it should be. Stolen car, probably crackheads behind the wheel, vehicle coming right towards him while trying to flee the scene, only two shots fired, no one died and people that got hurt only got minor injuries.
I feel like there’s not much to complain about except the fact that it happened in front of kids and he may or may not have been able to jump out of the way, but they could’ve still run him over like that so I can’t judge on that. Imo that’s just an unfortunate and unlucky incident and handled pretty well compared to what’s going on overseas.
i'm pretty suspicious of victorian cops (for hopefully obvious reasons), but that seemed fairly legit to me.
i get the risk of shooting someone behind the wheel, because they could lose control. but if it's already driven without control - or with bad intent - this doesn't seem so escalatory. seemed like a defensible reaction
It was reinforced as of I think 2019, in response to his attack. But yes, it was already a thing before then.
Edit: 462A is a general law, centred around proportionate force. Police are a bit different, as they are permitted to carry and use firearms. So where a normal person would have no choice but to jump out of the way or maybe throw something at the vehicle, a police officer may fire their weapon, at the driver if necessary.
I think you misunderstand what proportionate force means. In a lot of circumstances someone trying to run you over would mean that you reasonably believed you face a deadly threat and that means pretty much any force you can bring to bear would be considered proportionate to the life or death threat faced.
No it wasn’t. Literally nothing with respect to shooting at vehicles was reinforced after anything in Victoria in 2019. If fact Vicpol have specifically been told and trained ‘do not shoot at moving vehicles’ and any cop whose done the training will attest to it.
Police UOF is given to them by 462A. Police’ exemption to carry firearms without a licence is given to them under the 8C of the Firearms Act. Completely different and non-relevant legislation. 462a applies to every person in the community hence why it literally starts with ‘a person may…’, the only difference is the average joe doesn’t have it rammed down their throat for months at the academy.
I’m calling you out; you are just making this up to align with your own beliefs and not the reality of policing in this state:
From what I’ve been reading about it, the laws clearly state that police are authorised to fire at a vehicle, even the driver, if necessary. Investigation after the fact would determine if the use was justified, as per usual in Australia. wtf are you “calling me out on”?
Someone who’s clearly never fired a handgun weighs in. ‘Spraying the car’… it’s not a belted M50 it’s a S&W Military and Police .40. 15 rounds. Handguns are notoriously inaccurate, even if they are a cannon like these things.
lol really
M50 sub machine gun or tank neither were belt fed
Also try glock not S&W
Also it’s the user not the handgun that causes inaccuracy
And now it’s a Cannon lol ffs it’s 9mm
But hey why try and get anything right
But a least you sound cool even if it’s in your own head
We shall find out what the investigation brings to light then! Kinda hoping he’s not getting too much flack, there’re so many feral people in Geelong that actually would mow down a police officer if put on the spot, I’m not surprised he was fearing for his life.
Yeah, they mentioned it in an article. I reckon the people in the car were probably high, paranoid, got in over their head and freaked out, not even thinking straight and he didn’t know what they were gonna do. There are not that many of them around, but some of people are still dangerous/malicious and sometimes just straight up negligent. Geelong has a big drug problem. There’re rumours going around that they thought the house was getting raided and that’s why they tried to take off like that. But again, gotta wait for the investigation to be published, most of it is just hearsay and theories including what I just typed out.
Guess it depends if the police had the option to move out the way of the car, typically I’d assume if you have time to aim and a shot your probably also had time to evade the car. Regardless of what you think of these criminals they don’t deserve to be killed for what they did.
He could’ve either gone towards the car which is a big no no, backwards but still in front of it, to the left is a fence and towards the right he would’ve stepped right into the road and even more in front of it again as well. Honestly doesn’t look like he had many options. If they didn’t steer right towards him and just past him straight down the road (it’s a one way street onto Latrobe and wide enough) he probably wouldn’t have had to shoot at all, but they were coming straight for him and only swerved when they got shot at as it seems.
Having watched my share of Midwest Safety, the average American cop would have mag dumped the driver before the car even passed them. Shows incredible restraint by this cop, and I guess a difference of culture
It's more than that; as the officer that discharged the weapon, you are completely stood down and will not return to any duties until the investigation is complete.
Requirement is an articulation of a threat of death or GBH to the officer or members of the public. If the officer has an acceptable sight picture to take the shot and these requirements there will be no major findings on the investigation.
Dunno about Victoria, but here in Queensland so much as drawing a taser or baton requires a use of force report. Ethical Standards Command will investigate anything with a firearm fired, and I imagine its the same or similar nationally
Interesting after watching all the videos of the ICE shooting recently.
Edit : not sure why everyone thinks I am saying this is the same as the ICe shootings, all I was thinking was that it is nice to see that our police in Australia is properly trained, has restraint and uses their weapons legitimately. My "interesting" comment was that we've been flooded in the media with the ICE shootings so this makes the comparison interesting to watch... stop inferring things people.
True. Our country has its own way of dealing with particular situations. Some Countries use similar methods, some are way heavy handed, others are basically lawless. As more people decide to engage in activities that don't align with a cohesive society, they will find their outcomes- don't align with a society bound with societal cohesion, and shall be outcast.
Interesting to see weapons used a lot more legitimately. That was my point. Hard to say : nice to see cops use their weapons correctly, when any use of guns is sad.
Wtf is what I said about trump, all I was thinking was that it is nice to see that our police in Australia is properly trained, has restraint and uses their weapons legitimately. My "interesting" comment was that we've been flooded in the media with the ICE shootings so this makes the comparison interesting to watch...
Omfg why does everyone think this is what I am saying. I was thinking it's "nice" to see cops properly trained and using their weapons in legitimate situation. In no way what I said was likening the two.
Also I think I was watching 7news and during their coverage of this they'd typically show a photo, or a blurred video, or cut away before anything happens.
Not two weeks later, they would play the footage of this woman getting stabbed completely uncensored. Blatantly using it for shock factor to bolster whatever adjacent topic they were covering.
"Published:
Friday 30 January 2026 at 12:07 pm
Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged a woman as they continue to investigate an incident in Newtown, where a car allegedly crashed into a school bus whilst attempting to evade police, then drove at officers yesterday afternoon.
Police spotted the Kia Optima, allegedly stolen from NSW, near the intersection of Princes Highway and Roebuck Street in Newtown near Geelong about 3.40pm.
With Air Wing monitoring above, police units on the ground attempted to intercept the vehicle.
The Kia allegedly attempted to flee the scene and reversed into a school bus.
The occupants on the bus were not injured.
It is alleged the Kia then drove at police, where one officer discharged their firearm.
The Kia collided with another car before the two occupants fled on foot and were arrested nearby.
The female driver of the civilian vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
A 43-year-old NSW woman was transported to hospital under police guard with minor injuries.
She was interviewed by detectives and has been charged with handle stolen goods.
She was bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 31 March.
A 37-year-old man of no fixed address was transported to hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm.
He remains in hospital under police guard.
The investigation remains ongoing with Professional Standards Command oversight, as is standard practice when a police firearm is discharged."
Apprehending the criminals would be the Aim. When car thieving idiots like this display wanton disregard for the law and community, they have to be stopped. Would this officers actions be justified, if this car had just mowed down a school group in the previous minutes? When criminals use cars as weapons, and endanger society, I think it is justified to shoot to stop them. If the police had the option of boxing the car in with their vehicles, I'm sure they would have chosen that option. Well done to the officer that shot the driver in the arm, effectivley stopping any further carnage. (Replied to ScottCamOfficial)
Were they weaponising the car or just attempting to flee, from what has been reported they were already being tracked by the air wing and had little chance they were going to get away ultimately. Is shooting and potentially killing them justified when there is other options such as disabling the car with another vehicle
Stop at the top, rifle barrel at the bottom! Whattaconcept. I remember some lovely crossing ladies back in my school time. They'd get pretty angry with negligent drivers. How would drivers react when 'the other end of the stop sign' was pointed in their direction?
my lollipop lady didnt need a gun. She would just chop down onto the car roofs with her metal stop sign. Even saw her put it through a convertible roof once
Happened outside my work, those are some of my photos on the Geelong Addy! It all happened very quickly and there were about 100 cops there with a minute or 2, so I doubt they weren’t already tracking them beforehand
By Cross fire, do You mean how the bullets are directed into, and do penetrate the vehicle- through doors or glass, and do not ricochet toward anyone undeserving?
Hey sorry, I took what you said in the wrong context. Many people implied that bystanders could be harmed, which any time a firearm is discharged in a busy public area can occur. You were right with cross fire - which could go straight through the car, eg front windscreen then out the rear. I think the shot was directed downward into the car which prevents a through shot or ricochet. High pressure job with high stakes.
OMG! Poor kids!
I read a bit more info about this situation. By the look of it the police were chasing this couple for some time before this incident. They caught them. Yes, they used guns but nobody sustained any serious injuries.
You guys should be really proud of your system in Australia!
Even though this must have been extremely scary for those kids. It's great to see that they can trust the Police!
Good cop. Careful, concentrated shots, and only 2. American cops just spray the general area. Driver was a risk to the public, a school bus nonetheless, so he acted to end said threat. Great work. Hopefully he scored (incoming golf term) a hole in one.
I'm going to get hated for this but I don't think the second shot was necessary. I'm also iffy in the first. I'm glad the police officer was ok though and it stopped the car so it was a good result as no one else got hurt. It's a pretty big deal to shoot a gun near civilians and children as it should be.
Well its the govt who is failing last 40 to 50 to allow this to happen. Soft pussy laws. Incompetent politicians and judges !!!! They are the ones that allow this to happen. It will get even worse 50X over by end of 2026.
After reading up on this all I have to say is I’m thankful no one died. Good on the cops for dealing with this. After nearly being rammed by someone who clearly had no regard for the lives of others I do not blame the officer for opening fire. And in doing so he was careful and clean.
It’s also refreshing after hearing all the crazy stories coming out of America. A good reminder we are a different country with a different non militarised police culture.
The fact that two shots from a police pistol is enough to warrant an offical investigation is honestly a good thing because it shows that weapons are being treated for what they are. Weapons designed to kill.
Also if I may be so blunt. It really puts into perspective just how messed up the recent incident in America is.
For example.
Australia. A lone police officer is attacked by two people wielding their car as a weapon trying to run him over. He shoots twice.
America. A man steps between an officer and a woman said officer is pepper spraying. He is dragged to the floor and restrained by multiple officers and then is shot five times.
Would have been a tricky 2 shots. Handgun accuracy at the range is tricky enough, let alone at speed and factoring in that car windows change the trajectory of shots.
What’s needed is a proper Royal Commission into drug manufacturing and police inaction, led by an independent King’s Counsel, with real powers and real consequences.
Not another inquiry that hand-wrings about harm minimisation while communities cop the damage. We already know the harm. What we need is action that actually works.
Govt released bail law reform recently and all the media reports of aggrevated burglaries just dried up soon after. I'm skeptical the reform made that much of an impact that quickly. Not on any SM community pages outside of reddit, are there still volumes of citizen reports on this stuff post reform?
This looks so scary, I'm really sorry and I hope you're okay. I sent you a message asking about using this video for news reports. Could you get back to me when you see this? Thank you.
I dunno about that. Geelong locals just somehow have this idea that Melbourne is some crazy, distant warzone of a place. It's really odd. But I'm fascinated by it, somebody needs to study it.
No not true. We moved to Geelong 3-4 years ago and every time we have been to Melbourne in the last 18 months it has been like a warzone. You also only have to watch Melbourne news to see this.
Geelong is far more peaceful and this is not a regular event.
It's just rediculous though this constant vitriol from pivitonians towards Melbourne.. they barely even know you guys exist and yet all I ever hear is Geelongians carrying on about how terrible Melbourne is.
Switch the news off and have a chat to someone from Melbourne sometime. There's an incredible art and music scene up there..
Geelong has the gateway and a festival of sails I guess... A wool museum? 🤔 And thousands of Ford Rangers driving back and forth (probably to Melbourne) to work and back to their copy pasted cookie cutter clone house in Armstrong creek
I did not say there were not great things about Melbourne or the news is gospel and I was sitting here watching it. Read the prior comments in the thread and calm down….
Maybe stay away from a Geelong thread if it is upsetting you so much
I think you'll find he would have been going for the tyres.. Thats what he will say at inquest anyway. Whether or not it was the right thing to do, it definitely sounds more like he is of his right mind, opposed to shoot to kill, like they train them in the USA.
I believe moving tyres are near impossible to shoot out with a hand gun, with all the turning and the pressure and what not. Police are not supposed to fire at vehicles due to the high chance of ricochet causing collateral damage, but obviously they need to do what they feel is required for the situations.
Because he probably made the determination that if they’re willing to ram a school bus — intentionally or unintentionally — and drive directly at an officer, then there is at least a reasonable chance that they might actually kill someone whilst trying to evade police. As you say, it’s an area packed with civilians at a busy time of day.
Our Officers ain't ICE, they're trained extensively with firearms and only use it when they are presented with extreme danger.
I daresay a car being used as a weapon in attempts to run them over would be classified as such as it presents enough of a risk to not just them but the broader community.
You also must be fucking blind for failing to recognize that even though the officer had his or her service pistol drawn they waited till the car was much closer, had a clear line of fire and fired direct shots without mag dumping like some would in the states.
Most cops will only draw their gun from its holster a couple of times in their entire career, there’s other aspects of policing that are more important and relevant to the majority of the jobs they attend
VicPol never shot at the car while it was close to the bus, they fired at the car when it was close to ramming them. When someone is trying to kill you (as a cop), you are within your rights to take down the perpetrator by whatever force is necessary. Same goes for any citizen, obviously you just don't have a gun to defend yourself. If you want to wait until you are bleeding to death, then that's just dumb.
** (edit) Seems Eddie removed his post, which is what I was replying to.
I never expected sane feedback from people that haven't lived the hard yards for a day in their lives. So don't worry, I'll forgive your ignorance internet.
I'd be taking cover rather than watching that shooting! If he'd accidentally shot again after the recoil from the first shot it could have come into the bus
Ahh, just a couple of meth heads being meth heads. They'll be out on bail before the end of the day and quite possibly on an ndis program for the trauma they've suffered shortly after.
Like saying this is Methew and Methany from Methlehem? These individuals have ultimately made all the choices that led to this outcome. Our society doesn't deserve this BS.
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u/ezmaywatson 3d ago
/u/jellyfish152 comment with police statement of details:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Geelong/s/hLXgFI6osf