Police continue search for Mitchell Wilson ‘concerning’ Brisbane firearms, arson incidents

Police say the man is known to have a semiautomatic rifle on him, and should not be approached, as new details of his alleged acts are revealed.

The hunt continues for a “high risk, armed and dangerous” man they allege is behind “concerning” arson and firearms incidents last week.

Queensland Police allege Mitchell James Wilson, 27 – who had been wearing an electronic monitoring device as part of his bail conditions for drug trafficking – is behind three incidents in Brendale, Mt Gravatt and Sunnybank Hills on Thursday.

He is alleged to have brandished a semiautomatic firearm on one side of Brisbane in the afternoon, before threatening two women and lighting a house on fire – killing a dog in the process – on the south side later that night.

Police allege on Thursday afternoon, Mr Wilson was involved in a verbal altercation with a man known to him at 2.45pm at a business in Brendale.

Brisbane Region Regional Crime Co-ordinator, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham, said when the dispute became heated, Mr Wilson returned to his car and allegedly came back with a semiautomatic weapon.

In an event described as “concerning and disturbing”, Mr Wilson is alleged to have fired it “a number of times” towards the ground near the man.

Police say there had been a “life and death struggle” between the two men which lasted for some time, but ultimately Mr Wilson regained the firearm.

Mitchell James Wilson was captured on CCTV at a Brendale business allegedly firing a gun when confronting a man.

Shortly thereafter, Detective Massingham said police were alerted to Mr Wilson having removed the electronic monitoring device from his person.

Later that night, at 8.55pm Mr Wilson allegedly used the same gun to threaten two women known to him in Mt Gravatt, before firing the gun.

The two women are “traumatised” after they were allegedly cornered by Mr Wilson in a dark alley, police say.

“He parked nearby where he waited (for them). When they walked down the darkened laneway, Wilson appeared and ordered one of the females to enter the Audi,” Detective Massingham said.

“When she refused, he returned to the vehicle, obtained the firearm and threatened both women.

“Fearing for their lives, they both fled on foot. Hiding in nearby bushes they heard a short fired.”

Police say anyone who sees Mitchell Wilson should not approach him, but call triple-0 immediately.

Twenty minutes later, emergency services were called to a property in Sunnybank where a house was on fire.

Detective Massingham alleged Mr Wilson had arrived at the address, carrying a jerry can of fuel and his firearm in possession.

“He had a discussion with a male at that address, and it was clear he was in search of the location of the female from the previous incident,” he said.

“He entered, poured fuel in the hallways and a bedroom before setting the house alight.”

The man was able to flee without injury, but a pet dog died in the incident.

Police say the second and third incidents are linked, but the Brendale incident does not appear connected at this stage.

Detective Massingham appealed to anyone who knew where Mr Wilson was to come forward.

Calling on the wider community, he advised anyone who saw him not to approach him, rather immediately call triple-0.

“He is armed, dangerous, irrational and unpredictable,” he said.

Originally published as Police continue search for Mitchell Wilson ‘concerning’ Brisbane firearms, arson incidents