Gold Coast siege: Gunman surrenders to police

Queensland police say the gunman at the centre of the siege on the Gold Coast has surrendered to authorities.

Police clear the site as negotiations continue. (Twitter: @MatthewamHoward)

Police clear the site as negotiations continue. (Twitter: @MatthewamHoward)

A man at the centre of a siege on the Gold Coast has been taken into police custody, Queensland Police said."The emergency situation in Southport has been resolved peacefully," Queensland police said in a statement.

The man had barricaded himself inside a unit on White Street, Southport, after police were called to a disturbance on nearby Anne Street, where a gun was allegedly fired about 11pm on Wednesday night.

Police confirmed the man had been taken into custody just before 11am on Christmas Day.

He surrendered without incident and police now believe no one was in the unit with him.

The operation drew in local and specialist officers from Brisbane after an emergency declaration was made at 2am on Thursday.

The man was believed to have fired another shot from the unit.

"It sounded like the discharge of a firearm through the night from the block of units," Inspector Bruce Kuhn said at the scene on Thursday.

A modified weapon has been seized and an investigation is underway into what happened.

It appears drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the incident, a spokesman for Queensland police said.

Residents were evacuated from the complex as police negotiators and special emergency response team officers conducted negotiations.

The man did not have any hostages and did not make any demands, Inspector Kuhn earlier said.
Police said they were uncertain whether the unit belonged to the man.

The incident suspended train and light rail services in the area, and threw the Christmas plans of dozens into disarray after residents were evacuated from neighbouring properties.

Queensland Police thanked the public for co-operating with authorities during the siege.

"Police would like to thank Southport residents for their understanding and cooperation whilst the operation was underway – particularly those whose Christmas plans were disrupted," said the statement from Queensland Police.

White Street had also been cordoned off as negotiators spoke with the man.

Police will brief the media later on Thursday after the man has been taken to the Southport watch house.

If you are distressed, assistance is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.


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Source: AAP, SBS


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