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An officer who decided police should storm the home of a mentally ill man to end a nine-hour standoff says it was the right decision.
Todd McKenzie, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was shot by police three times at his home on the NSW mid-north coast in 2019.
NSW Police officers were initially called to the Taree property over concerns for his welfare when he armed himself with a knife and made threatening comments to his neighbours during a psychotic episode.
But the situation devolved into a multi-hour siege that ended when tactical officers entered Mr McKenzie's home.
He allegedly lunged at them with a knife before officers fatally shot him.
A tactical field supervisor, known as 'T9', was called to give evidence on Wednesday about the processes police used to make decisions on the night of Mr McKenzie's death.
He was told statements from the 40-year-old's neighbours had indicated his mental health episode was fuelled by a paranoia about people entering his home.
Questioned by Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame, T9 said that information would not have changed the decision to storm the home.
"Sitting here in the courtroom with all this additional information, do you still think it was the right decision?" Ms Grahame asked.
"Yes," T9 replied.
"Preferably, I'd like to see Mr McKenzie alive."
The inquest has previously heard Mr McKenzie smoked and ate when he was sleepwalking and worried people had been in his house when he woke up.
His mother June Wilkins believed this may have triggered his psychosis.
The inquest will continue on Thursday.
