OFFICERS confronting a woman wielding a kitchen knife used capsicum spray and tried to use a Taser before a constable fired one bullet at her chest, killing her.

Police shot the 22-year-old outside Hungry Jack’s on the corner of Hoxton Park and Cowpasture Roads at Hoxton Park just before midday. A critical incident investigation is under way.

media_camera Police give CPR to the knifewoman outside Hungry Jack's in West Hoxton. Picture: Angela Martin

A number of calls to triple zero were made around 11.35am to report a young woman walking in and out of traffic armed with a knife.

At least four officers from Green Valley and Traffic and Highway Patrol responded to the call and surrounded the woman on a grass verge outside the Hungry Jack’s car park.

Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli said the police tried a number of tactical options before discharging the shot that hit the woman in the chest.

He described it as a “tragic situation.”

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“The officers are distraught, I am actually on my way over there, but also at this time I would like to pass on my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” he said.

Mr Mennilli could not say whether the woman directly threatened the officers.

“All of these matters will be investigated by the critical incident team.”

“I have been informed that capsicum spray was utilised and they tried to utilise a Taser.”

media_camera Forensic officers at the scene outside Hungry Jack’s on Cowpasture Road at West Hoxton. Picture: Robert Pozo

AT 6PM: Exclusive pictures of moments before girl with knife shot dead by police http://t.co/4nED7D18jV #WestHoxton pic.twitter.com/9kQjd8qxMi — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 10, 2015

Mr Mennilli said police had received reports from members of the public that the woman had been wandering about nearby shopping centre Carnes Hill Marketplace before heading to Hungry Jacks.

She was also caught on camera slurping a drink and holding the long blade before police arrived at the scene.

Angela Martin, who was stopped at traffic lights outside the restaurant, told the Daily Telegraph she saw the girl running.

“I heard the shot as I was in my bag getting my phone out,” Ms Martin said. “I had no idea what was going on. I knew someone had been shot, I saw someone fall and saw all the cops run to that person.”

“Next thing there were cop cars everywhere, it was a nightmare,” she added.

Ms Martin said the police tried desperately to revive the woman.

“There were four or five police bent over (the teenager),” she said. “There were a number of other cops standing by watching.”

media_camera A map shows the site of the shooting.

Critical incident in place at #WestHoxton. Police operation remains in place. No further details available at this time. — NSW Police (@nswpolice) February 10, 2015

Ms Martin usually stopped at the Hungry Jack’s for a coffee on the way to visiting her grandson but was held up at the traffic lights as police chased a ‘figure’ on the grass outside the store.

“It’s normally my pit stop and get a coffee there and continue on the way,” she said. “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed in my whole life.”

Police have cordoned off several roads around the fast food restaurant and the adjacent Shell service station.

media_camera The scene witness Angela Martin came across en route to picking up a coffee from Hungry Jack’s. Picture: Angela Martin

Dozens of police and forensic officers remain at the scene.

Alan Sobbi, whose home backs on to Hoxton Park Rd, said he saw the woman moving towards police, before he heard two loud bangs and the woman fell to the ground.

“We heard police trying to calm her down. I would think the police were telling her to put the knife or weapon down,” Mr Sobbi said.

media_camera Police arrived en masse after reports came through around 11.30am after calls began coming in of a woman weaving in between traffic. Picture: Robert Pozo

media_camera A forensics officer collects evidence from the scene after efforts to revive the woman — killed by a single bullet — failed. Picture: Robert Pozo. of

media_camera Detective and police discuss events inside the cordoned-off area outside Hungry Jacks.

“We saw her moving toward the police, and that’s when we heard the bangs. It was like something out of a movie

“We saw the police straight away try and help her and revive her. Then there were police cars and ambulances everywhere.”

Another neighbour, Amanda Steadman, said she was shocked to learn about the woman’s death.

“You don’t except to walk up and see this so close to home. I’m just hoping it’s not someone we know,” she said.

A police spokesman said a police operation was in progress and streets in the area had been shut down.