MACKAY Police Detective Inspector Brendan Smith has confirmed an armed man has surrendered himself “peacefully” to police, ending a three-hour stand-off in Mackay’s city centre.
“The gentleman has just surrendered, obviously this is a great result for police,” Det Insp Smith said.
Police will scour the crime scene for clues and assess the situation before deciding their next move.
The man will be taken to Mackay Base Hospital.
The public are still urged to stay away from the area as police establish a crime scene.
WHAT WE KNOW
— The Mackay CBD is in lockdown after a 48-year-old man with a gun was reported in Victoria Street
— Police officers, some in bullet proof vests, have gathered at the makeshift command post on the corner of Gregory St and Victoria St.
— An exclusion zone has been declared as of 5.45pm between the boundary of River St and Wood St, Wood St and Gordon St, Gordon St to Macalister St and Macalister St to River St.
POLICE have started escorting people from Mackay’s CBD in small groups as negotiations with a 48-year-old armed man continue.
Officers are negotiating with the armed man on Gregory St and are speaking to his parents to glean a possible motive as the Mackay CBD remains in lockdown.
There have been no threats against any other person.
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the man, who is known to police, is in possession of a number of long arms.
“A number of shots were fired earlier in the day,” he said.
Det Insp Smith said it is possible that was part of the man’s plan to draw police into the city.
“No other person is at risk,” he said.
“We ask the public not to come down to the CBD of Mackay.
“We ask people who are inside the buildings for their patience at this stage.
“We’ve got a number of resources on scene and some of those are negotiators.”
Det Insp Smith said police are fairly confident of a peaceful outcome.
An exclusion zone has been declared as of 5.45pm between the boundary of River St and Wood St, Wood St and Gordon St, Gordon St to Macalister St and Macalister St to River St.
A man who was evacuated from a shop on Victoria Street said he saw a man with a rifle in his hand and another on his back.
“He fired one shot into the air at the front as he was crossing from the strip joint,” he said.
“He hung around the front of night owl for five minutes then made his way back down to behind Gregory St.”
“We have just been evacuated from Haven (the gaming store).”
EARLIER 6.30PM: Mackay’s central business district has been locked down as police negotiate with an armed man.
Police declared an emergency situation, closing an area bounded by River, MacCallister, Gordon and Woods streets following reports of an armed man near a licensed premises on Gregory St.
Police negotiators were on scene.
A police spokesman said the man had been seen pointing the firearm at himself.
Members of the public inside the declared zone were advised to shelter in a secure place. Others were warned to avoid the area.
There were no reported injuries at this stage.
If you or someone close to you requires personal assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636
BREAKING: A PSPA (aka exclusion zone) has been declared in Mackay due to an armed man in the CBD. @daily_mercury pic.twitter.com/MwHUhjlyJu
— Madura McCormack (@MaduraMcCormack) May 30, 2018
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