Australian police officer stabbed to death

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SYDNEY, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- An Australian mother and son were being held without bail Saturday, charged with killing a Sydney police officer trying to settle a neighborhood dispute.

Fiona Barbieri, 45, and Mitchell Barbieri, 19, were arrested Thursday after they allegedly attacked Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Anderson and other officers were dispatched to their home in the western suburb of Oakville after a neighbor complained Mitchell was shooting arrows onto his property.

A detective told Fairfax Media investigators have not been able to question the Barbieris because they are too "off the planet." He described them as incoherent.

Police said when the officers arrived at the house someone began shooting arrows at them from inside. Anderson went to the back door, apparently trying to talk to the Barbieris, and was assaulted with a mallet and stabbed.

People who had known Mitchell Barbieri said he and his mother had isolated themselves, living on unemployment compensation in their semirural neighborhood.

A pile of flowers has grown outside the police station in Windsor, The Australian reported. One tribute to Anderson bore a handwritten sign reading: "An officer and a gentleman. You will never be forgotten."