Man shot dead by police in central Qld

A man shot dead by police during a confrontation in the central Queensland city of Rockhampton is believed to have been armed with a knife.

Police were called to a disturbance on Geoff Wilson Drive, Norman Gardens at 7.10pm on Friday.

Two officers confronted the man and he was shot, and died at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Ronald Van Saane said they were providing support to the man's family as well as the officers involved.

"It's been a traumatic event for everyone involved and the next of kin," Det Supt Van Saane told reporters in Rockhampton.

He couldn't confirm reports police had been told the man was armed with a gun, but confirmed he was armed with a knife at the time of the shooting.

"We believe he was armed with a knife, or a number of knives," he said.

The officers are understood to have been wearing body cameras during the incident.

The man's death will be investigated by the Ethical Standards Command, on behalf of the state coroner, as well as the Crime and Misconduct Commission.