A high-profile dentist was shot dead by police in Sydney after attacking two women, three days after he was released on bail. Dr Steven Lin, 41, died after threatening responding officers with a knife following an assault at a unit complex; police and emergency services treated him at the scene but he did not survive.
What Happened?
Police were called to a unit complex on St Neot Avenue about 10: 50am on Tuesday following reports that a man had assaulted two female residents, aged 47 and 57. The man took a knife from a kitchen and threatened officers. A Tasering attempt was made but was ineffective, and a police officer then fired a single round. NSW Ambulance paramedics and doctors treated the man for his injury, but he died at the scene.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said police did not believe the man knew the two women who were assaulted. He described police officers as “pretty traumatised” and said investigators would “thoroughly investigate this and get to the bottom of why and how that occurred. ” NSW Ambulance Superintendent Stewart Clarke said one woman had “quite significant” head and facial injuries but was conscious and stable, while the second woman’s injuries were less serious. One woman sustained injuries consistent with a knife; the other suffered blunt force trauma.
What Was Known About the Dentist’s Background?
The man was identified as Dr Steven Lin, 41. He had appeared at the Bail Division Court that covers the Illawarra on Saturday, three days earlier, charged with breaching an apprehended domestic violence order. On that occasion he was granted bail on conditions that he live at an address on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, comply with apprehended violence orders, and be of good behaviour.
Lin had a public profile earlier in his career: he co-founded dental practices (with which he was no longer associated), published a book, spoke on TEDx and television, and held a large social media following. In recent years he had spiralled into drug use and had made regular court appearances on the Central Coast and in Wollongong, often on domestic violence charges. He was due to face Gosford Local Court later this month.
- Bail granted: Bail Division Court (three days before fatal incident) with specified conditions.
- Incident location and time: Unit complex on St Neot Avenue, about 10: 50am on Tuesday.
- Victims: Two female residents, aged 47 and 57; one with injuries consistent with a knife and significant head and facial injuries (conscious and stable); one with less serious injuries.
- Police response: Tasering was attempted and ineffective; a single round was fired by an officer. Paramedics treated the injured man who later died at the scene.
- Authorities: NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna and NSW Ambulance Superintendent Stewart Clarke provided on-scene accounts and said investigations will follow.
What Comes Next?
Police have said they will carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the assault, the police response and the sequence of events that led to the death of Dr Steven Lin. Investigators will examine the earlier bail decision, the assault on the two women, the use of a conducted energy device and the subsequent firearm discharge.
The two women remain part of that inquiry: one was conscious and in a stable condition with significant head and facial injuries and the other sustained less serious injuries. Authorities also noted the officers involved were affected by the incident and that formal investigative processes will determine further action.
Readers should expect further official updates as the investigation and the scheduled court matters progress in the case of the dentist.
