Police in Sydney are searching for a man who brandished a shotgun, triggering a lockdown in part of the Dulwich Hill suburb in the city’s inner west. The manhunt was launched after the man allegedly set fire to a stolen vehicle and fled on foot, threatening witnesses with a weapon.
Police were called to a car park in Williams Parade at 10.20 am on Friday, following a report of a stolen vehicle. They were told that a man with a long gun was in the vehicle. According to reports, the man then set the vehicle alight and fled on foot. Three witnesses told police that he had threatened them with a weapon. Police Inspector Despa Fitzgerald said: “Do not approach this person – we understand he is armed with a shotgun.” He added that there were no signs that shots had been fired.
Police described the man as a white male, in his 20s, approximately 160cm tall, with a slim build and dishevelled hair. He was last seen on Union Street, wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and black long trousers. Police with tactical equipment and a police helicopter joined the search, focusing on the area around Williams Parade and Constitution Road. Firefighters extinguished the fire on the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
During the search, police patrolled the neighbourhood, advising residents to stay in their homes. Light rail services in the area were suspended, and nearby businesses were asked to close their doors. Dulwich Hill Primary School and Summer Hill High School were placed in lockdown, with the latter holding HSC exams that day, subject to restricted access to the school.
On Friday afternoon, police announced that lockdowns in the area had been lifted. A crime scene had been established at the incident site in Williams Parade. Drivers were advised to avoid the area where possible.
