Suburban Mackay street shut down as police surround house
A man has been taken into custody five hours after police were called to a siege at Beaconsfield home. LATEST
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have taken a man into custody following a five-hour stand-off outside a Beaconsfield home.
Multiple crews including specialist police negotiators with reinforced vehicles were called, and several streets were shut off following reports of a siege involving an armed man at a Pandanus St home.
First responding officers set up at Pandanus St and Shiral Dr about 1.15pm, February 18, while police cars were also positioned at the intersection to block any motorists.
Mackay District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Kyle Gould said initial information indicated a man was potentially going to self harm.
“That was our main concern, to make sure he was not going to hurt himself,” Senior Sergeant Gould said, adding there was then more information “about a possible weapon”.
“That’s why there was a strong police response.
“Any sort of weapons we’ve got to make sure we use appropriate response to it.”
Just before 3pm police established an exclusion zone that included Pandanus St, Nandina St and Shiral Dr, warning residents to stay indoors and members of the public to avoid the area.
A QPS statement said emergency services were called in relation to a mental health related incident and a man making threats, but there was not threat to the public.
Police negotiators were called to help with situation, which involved the use of a reinforced vehicle.
Senior Sergeant Gould said the use of a particular type of vehicle was part of the negotiations as it allowed the officers to get close to the scene while being safe.
Senior Sergeant Gould said initially there were five people in total in the home however four were able to come out of their own accord.
First three people were escorted out of the home, walked by police.
Senior Sergeant Gould said the fourth person was called out and able to leave.
Parents of Beaconsfield State School students were able to pick up their children.
Police negotiators were called in to speak with the man and by about 6.30pm he handed himself over to police without incident and the exclusion zone was lifted just before 7pm.
Officers also searched the home and no weapons were found.
Call outs like these were always an evolving situation – Senior Sergeant Gould said, “That’s what usually happens in these jobs, it’s all unknown until we can prove otherwise.”
The man was assessed by paramedics and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
More Coverage
Fatal hit and run case hit with more delays
A Bowen man accused of a fatal hit and run has had his matter adjourned as prosecution says they need more time to search for missing evidence.
‘Did not occur’: Man claims allegations he raped his wife are ‘lies’
A Qld man is accused of raping his wife shortly after a miscarriage and again while she was seven months pregnant. He has outright denied the allegations. Trigger warning.