The Herald Sun has an explanation on why capsicum spray wasn’t tried before Nathan Doherty was shot by police in Wanniassa:
ACT Policing deputy chief Bruce Hill said officers believed they had the situation under control after talking with the man when he was inside the house for some 30 minutes early yesterday morning. But he emerged armed with a kitchen knife in one hand and a meat cleaver in the other.
“He had his face protected against us possibly using capsicum spray,” Commander Hill told ABC Radio today.
Officers tried to disarm the man with “verbal commands” as he advanced towards them for about 300 metres. He than made an aggressive lunge towards a sergeant, who shot him.
Nathan had previously been shot in the leg by police in November 2007.
The question now is whether we should have tasers out with the general duties police who end up dealing with these situations?