Inner-city Sydney suburb locked down after reports of gunfire as schoolkids hide under desks, roads shut, trains cancelled and locals ordered to stay inside
An inner-Sydney suburb has been locked down after residents reported a man armed with a shotgun allegedly set fire to a stolen car before fleeing on foot.
Emergency services were called to a carpark on Williams Parade, Dulwich Hill, following reports of a stolen vehicle.
On arrival, officers were told a man inside the reported stolen vehicle was armed with a firearm and set the vehicle alight.
‘He then left the area on foot and was last seen on Union Street,’ police said.
Businesses and cafes in the area were placed into lockdown, as was Dulwich Hill Public School, where locals said children hid under their desks.
Transport in the area was also halted, while locals were ordered to stay inside.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect.
Witnesses told 9News the suspect was reportedly armed with a sawn-off shotgun, with some claiming they had seen an altercation involving a group before the blaze.
Parts of Dulwich Hill, in Sydney’s inner west, are in lockdown after reports of an armed man
Heavily armed officers and tactical police, along with police helicopters, were called to the area near Williams Parade and Constitution Road on Friday morning
A manhunt is underway for a suspect believed to be armed with a sawn-off shotgun
Firefighters have attended the scene and extinguished the fire, and no injuries have been reported.
Police have established a crime scene, closing local roads and telling motorists to avoid the area.
Light rail services between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield have also been stopped.
Tactical officers, including heavily armed specialists, could be seen in the area, along with helicopters.
Police said the man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 20s, about 160cm tall with a thin build and shaggy hair.
He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and long black pants.
Commander of the Inner west Police Area Command, Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald told reporters an extensive search was conducted but police were unable to locate the man.
‘An extensive search was conducted by PolAir, police on the ground and our dog squad which did not locate the male,’ Fitzgerald says.
‘The streets have been locked down to continue the search.’
Superintendent Fitzgerald warned the public to not approach the man and to call police immediately if he is spotted.
‘Do not approach this person,’ Fitzgerald said. ‘We understand he is armed with a shotgun’.
She confirmed emergency services received one report of a man with a shotgun and that ‘no shots were fired’ at the scene despite earlier reports.
Three witnesses, who were at the scene and confirmed the man was armed, were threatened with the weapon.
‘They were threatened with a weapon as they were trying to leave the area,’ Fitzgerald said.
Superintendent Fitzgerald also confirmed the vehicle the armed man was in was a van, which was stolen from the Inner West Area Command ‘days ago’.
The van has since been spotted by members of the public in the last half hour.
Forensic investigators are at the crime scene and police have established a large exclusion area as they continue the man hunt.
Some units remain on lockdown and many locals who live in the area are being escorted by police back to their homes.
Traffic in the area is also locked down, while traffic control authorities are set to assess the Light Rail closures over the next few hours.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Inner West Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
