Police fatally shoot woman allegedly armed with axe in Adelaide's east - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Police at the scene of the shooting at Firle in Adelaide's east. (ABC News: Stephen Opie)

A woman has been shot and killed by police in an incident at Firle in Adelaide's east.

Police said the woman was reportedly armed with an axe and that she threatened them upon their arrival in the early hours of this morning.

Police said they would provide further information later this morning.

Police have shot and killed a woman who was reportedly armed with an axe during a confrontation at Firle in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.

The incident happened about 2am when police were called to Gwynne Street.

Police said they were responding to reports "that a woman was armed with an axe" and that when they arrived they were confronted by the woman, who allegedly threatened them.

Police said a taser was used, but it was ineffective, and that they then "discharged a firearm, striking the woman".

Officers attempted first aid before ambulance paramedics arrived, police said, but the woman died at the scene.

"Major Crime Investigation Branch detectives, Forensic Response Section officers and investigators from Internal Investigation Section are at the scene and will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident," police said.

A police officer sustained minor injuries in the incident.

A neighbour who knew the woman told 891 ABC Adelaide she was shocked to hear what had happened.

She said the woman was "well known in Gwynne Street to have been lovely and [was] always asking how people are".

"I'd be in my garden, she'd come up and say, 'Hello, have you got any bricks, have you got any bricks?', because they used to love pottering about in the garden, her and her partner," she said.

"There's never been any sign of any aggression or anything like that.

"It's very much of a shock to hear what has happened, but also my thoughts are with the SAPOL officer who had to make that very quick decision — so my thoughts are with them and hoping that they get a speedy physical and emotional recovery. Very sad."

Gwynne Street has been closed to traffic. (ABC News: Stephen Opie)

The neighbour said she was woken by loud bangs, and initially assumed it was "someone punching the laneway fence".

"Then my daughter came in and asked, 'Mum, did you just hear all that yelling?'," she said.

"I said, 'No, I just woke up to someone banging on the fence'. She said, 'No that sounded like gunshots'."

Police said they would provide more information later this morning and that they would prepare a report for the coroner.

Gwynne Street has been closed to traffic, and drivers have been asked to avoid the area.

"There has been a fair bit of police action here this morning," reporter Charles Brice told ABC News Breakfast.

"Major Crime detectives are on the scene at the moment. Gwynne Street is currently closed … and will be closed for some time while investigations are undertaken this morning."