White Rock schools locked down over alleged ‘gunman’

Two schools in Cairns were thrown into lockdown after a man was reported to be carrying a firearm.

Two schools south of Cairns were thrown into lockdown on Wednesday morning after a man allegedly threatened workers while in possession of a “firearm”.

Authorities said the workers immediately retreated from the area and called police.

The 45-year-old White Rock man is alleged to have been verbally abusing workers when they noticed what looked like a firearm.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the man has been charged following the incident on Wednesday, January 8.

“It’s alleged the man had been involved in a verbal altercation with workers, which resulted in two schools in White Rock being locked down.” she said.

Police body worn camera footage showing the gel blaster which was found in a white Toyota Yaris being driven by a 47-year-old Masig Island man on Sunday, 5 January. Picture: Supplied.

The White Rock man was apprehended a short time later, allegedly in possession of a gel blaster.

He has been charged with one count of threatening violence discharge firearm or other act and is due to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on January 24.

This comes after a separate incident just a few days prior, when a Cairns suburb was thrown into chaos as police launched a manhunt for an alleged gunman following numerous reports of a man driving around Manunda brandishing a weapon.

The White Rock man was apprehended a short time later, allegedly in possession of a gel blaster. Picture: Supplied.

Multiple police units, the Dog Squad and the Police Helicopter were on the hunt in Manunda to locate the suspect.

Once officers located the 47-year-old Masig Island man, on Sunday, January 5, it was revealed the firearm was a gel blaster.

Unlike other states, Queensland does not classify gel blasters as a firearm under the 1990 Weapons Act, meaning you do not need a firearms license to own or use one.

Queensland law classifies gel blasters as “toys”, so long as they are not used for unlawful purposes.

They must not be used to intimidate or cause fear and the misuse of a gel blaster could lead to charges under public safety or criminal laws.

Members of the public are advised to avoid displaying or using a gel blaster in public spaces as their realistic appearance can lead to confusion or police intervention.

Originally published as White Rock schools locked down over alleged ‘gunman’