A 63-year-old woman has died after being shot by police during an incident in Firle, in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, in the early hours of Thursday, 29 October 2026. South Australian authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to ABC News, police were called to Gwynne Street at approximately 2am after receiving reports that a woman was allegedly armed with an axe and creating a disturbance. Officers attended the address and encountered the woman in the front yard of a property.

Police said the woman allegedly threatened officers with the axe. They reported that she was instructed to drop the weapon but did not comply. Officers then attempted to use a conducted-energy device, commonly known as a Taser, but it was ineffective.

Authorities allege the confrontation escalated further and that the woman struck an officer in the leg with the axe. An officer subsequently fired two shots, hitting the woman.

Officers attempted to provide first aid before ambulance paramedics arrived. However, the woman died at the scene. The injured officer received treatment for minor bruising to his leg, according to police.

The incident prompted a major investigation involving detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch, forensic specialists and officers from the Internal Investigation Section. These teams are examining the events leading up to the shooting and the actions taken by police.

South Australia’s Acting Police Commissioner, Linda Williams, said she had reviewed body-worn camera footage showing the lead-up to and the shooting itself. She stated that she was confident the officers had acted appropriately. However, the incident remains subject to formal scrutiny, and the investigation will examine the circumstances and whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.

Police are expected to prepare a report for the coroner. A Commissioner’s Inquiry will also examine whether South Australian Police procedures were followed during the response. These processes are important in cases involving deaths during police operations, as they provide mechanisms for reviewing the available evidence and the decisions made by officers.

Residents in the surrounding neighbourhood described being shocked by the incident. One neighbour told ABC Adelaide that she had known the woman and was saddened by her death. Other residents reported hearing loud bangs during the early morning hours.

The incident also raises questions about the risks police face when responding to reports involving weapons and alleged threats. Such situations can develop rapidly, requiring officers to make decisions under pressure. The subsequent investigation will consider the evidence surrounding the encounter rather than relying solely on initial accounts.

At the time of reporting, authorities had not announced a final finding about the shooting. The coroner’s process and the police inquiry are expected to help establish the circumstances of the woman’s death and assess the response.