'Terrible' decision for cop in fatal shooting A man has been fatally shot by police in Melbourne after pulling out a knife during his arrest. Police at the scene in Melbourne where a man was shot dead. Picture: Richard Serong Source: HeraldSun A MELBOURNE police officer who fatally shot a man who threatened him with a knife during a traffic stop "certainly knew what he was doing," senior police say. The highway patrol officer, working alone in the southeast suburb of Windsor, stopped the car, which was suspected of having stolen number plates, at around 10.40pm last night. The officer was arresting the male driver when the man produced a knife, prompting the officer to shoot, police say. The man, aged in his 40s, died as a result of his injuries. A woman who was in the car ran away from the scene and has not been found. Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the officer was experienced and acted in self-defence. "He'd been in the highway patrol for a while and he certainly knew what he was doing," he told reporters at the scene. Mr Cornelius said the officer had to make a quick and "terrible" decision upon being threatened. "I'm only relieved that he gets to go home at the end of his shift," he said. No officer expects to come to work having to make that terrible decision. I am sure everyone would appreciate that any member who is in that position of course suffers terribly as a result of having to make that decision. Nearby resident Helen Jones said she heard the gunfire while walking her dogs. We heard three shots. Very direct shots," she told reporters. She said her girlfriend then called her a few minutes after 11pm to say the whole area was blocked off with police cars and ambulances. It was just three shots. Bang, bang bang. Like that. The Homicide Squad, Police Professional Standards Command and the coroner are investigating, while the search for the woman is continuing.