A man has been shot dead by police after a confrontation with officers outside Central Station in Sydney’s CBD.

The shooting happened near a florist at one of the Eddy Avenue entrances.

Police said they were called to the scene at 6.45pm after receiving reports of an armed robbery.

They will now conduct a critical incident investigation.

The florist, Manuel Theoharas, said the man came into his shop and held a bottle to his neck and demanded he call police.

“He grabbed me from behind … he was breaking everything inside,” Mr Theoharas said.

“The way he was holding the broken bottle he could cut my neck or … anything.”

The man shot dead has been identified as Danukul Mokmool, 30.

Mr Theoharas said the man grabbed a pair of scissors, at which point he decided to run out of his shop and into the station for his own safety.

He said he felt bad for the man, but defended the actions of police.

“I don’t think they had a choice because he could have run out there while he was holding the scissors to hurt other people,” Mr Theoharas said.

“I feel sorry for him but I’m alive because I could be dead.”

Salim, who owns a kebab shop nearby, rushed out after he heard people screaming.

Manuel Theoharas said he ran out of his shop for his own safety. Photo: ABC

He said he saw the elderly florist, who he has worked alongside at the station for years, covered with blood.

“I heard a noise – three shots – but I only realised what it was after I heard someone screaming,” he said.

Salim said he saw the suspected attacker lying on the ground surrounded by police as he rushed past to help his injured friend.

“I feel bad for (the florist),” he said.

“He’s a great person.”

Police shot the man after a short confrontation, with graphic video shared on social media showing him dropping to the floor after four shots ring out.

Mr Theoharas defended the actions of police.

“I don’t think they had a choice because he could have run out there while he was holding the scissors to hurt other people,” Mr Theoharas said.

“I feel sorry for him but I’m alive because I could be dead.”

Sami Aryal, who works nearby and witnessed the shooting, said there were four or five police officers surrounding the flower shop and they were asking someone to put their hands down for 10 to 15 seconds.

“One of the policemen went inside the shop … and as soon as a man was about to run, I saw the policeman shooting him,” she said.

“He was shot and he was straight to the floor.

“People were scared, they were shouting. As soon as the incident happened they asked us to sit over here and they sealed the place.”

Witness quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald said the man was of Asian appearance while also giving conflicting reports.

One said the man was clutching a pair of scissors before the volley of shots rang out, while another identified the object as a shard of glass.

– with ABC