Australian police shot dead a woman, 63, who was allegedly trying to break into her OWN home with an axe

A 63-year-old woman, known to neighbours as Ming, was fatally shot by South Australian police at around 2am on Thursday after she swung an axe at an officer's leg at her Gwynne Street property in Firle, in Adelaide's east. Officers first deployed a Taser, which had no effect, before one of them fired two shots. Acting Commissioner Linda Williams, having reviewed body-worn camera footage, said she was satisfied the officers had acted appropriately.

Neighbours heard police calling out in an effort to negotiate before the shots were fired, and described Ming as a warm, friendly woman with a love of gardening.

One officer suffered minor bruising to the leg from the axe blow and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Major Crime and the Internal Investigation Section have each opened inquiries into the incident, and a report for the coroner is being prepared.