Kirwan siege ended, police find body in home

The man who terrified his neighbours during a 10-hour siege has been identified as residents share what it was liked to be locked down overnight. UPDATED PICTURES, VIDEO.

A body representing members of the Queensland Police Service said on Monday that it was only luck the nation was not mourning yet another serving officer or officers.

“We are lucky that we do not have murdered police today,” Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said of the shocking 10-hour siege in Townsville overnight.

Former Royal Australian Air Force member Mark Raisin, 50, took his own life at a home on Elphinstone Drive, Kirwan, after multiple shots were fired during the course of the shocking ordeal that forced the area into lockdown.

“The offender fired a significant number of rounds at police vehicles and houses and when you see the nature of the damage caused it just shows how lucky these police were,” Mr Leavers said.

“Policing is a dangerous and difficult job where every single day when we put on our uniforms and head to work we are never sure if we will be coming home and I am thankful that no innocent people were shot or injured.”

The union recently established a fund for fallen members Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow who were murdered by religious fundamentalists in Wieambilla in December last year.

A gunshot in a vehicle that was shot by a man in Kirwan on Sunday night.

Police Minister Mark Ryan declined to comment on the latest incident, with a spokeswoman saying the QPS are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the siege, including the types of weapons used and relevant gun licences.

NewsCorp understands the man had a firearms licence and had lawfully obtained guns.

Acting Inspector Darren Randall confirmed on Monday there was only one person inside the home, along with a dog.

Townsville Police were called at about 8pm in response to reports of a “disturbance”.

Raisin, described by one local resident as a “bit strange” fired a number of shots, hitting a total of five police and civilian cars.

A dog seen outside the Elphinstone Dr home where a gunman held police to a 10-hour siege. Picture: Evan Morgan

Inspector Randall said police did not fire any shots during the siege and received no response from the man during attempted negotiations.

One young Townsville man posted a video to social media with the sounds of gunshots being fired near his home.

“What the f***,’’ he said, filming as he walked through his home.

“That’s legit a gunshot.

“I can hear the gun cocking,” said the man, whose home was used as a base for the elite QPS responders.

Others also shared their fears.

“There were gunshots, we had to wake the kids up and put them in the front room,” another neighbour said.

“Within half an hour police said we needed to leave, so we got in the car.”

The man said he did not know Raisin very well.

“He kept to himself, he was not the type to talk,” he said.

“He was a little bit strange I thought.”

Another family living close by said they were told to bunker down in their brick home and keep the lights off.

“I thought it was kids being d – kheads with fireworks or something,” said the man.

“I didn’t know what it was til I got closer. I got a bit too close.”

The siege situation in Townsville ended just before 7am. Picture: 7 News

“NEVER BEEN AROUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS’

One woman said a group of people had all retreated together.

“I’ve never been around something like this, it’s a bit wild,” she said.

But what was getting her through the terrifying time was seeing the community come together so quickly.

Police responding to a serious incident in Kirwan. Picture: Leighton Smith

“I am just feeling supportive, everyone is a bit on edge but we are all surrounded around each other and it’s calming everyone’s nerves,” she said.

The woman said a couple who were driving in their car had been caught in the crossfire and had also retreated to safety.

The large exclusion zone applied until 6:45am this morning as police monitored a man who barricaded himself inside his house with at least one rifle and a shotgun.

It’s understood the man came outside his house to shoot at police on at least one occasion.

The boundaries of this exclusion zone included Dalrymple Rd, Kern Brothers Dr, Sandstone Dr and Golf Links Dr.

People were urged not to approach the area.

Earlier, police spoke to the gunman over a loudspeaker.

‘LEAVE YOUR WEAPONS INSIDE’

“This is for your safety and our safety, you leave the weapons inside,” police said in audio obtained by The Townsville Bulletin.

Police told the gunman over a loudspeaker that he needs to come out.

“You’ve already fired off some shots tonight, the situation is dangerous.

“We need you to put down the weapons and come out of the house.”

The Mackay-based RACQ CQ Rescue Service was called on to fly “four heavily armed police and a police dog” from Mackay to Townsville Airport on Sunday evening to help with the then-unfolding siege situation.

There are also reports his wife and son were heard appealing to him over the loudspeaker.

Specialist police and emergency operations responded to the scene, with the siege carrying through the night.

One person was dressed in military fatigues, as footage from the scene showed officers gathered around emergency vehicles.

LISTEN TO POLICE NEGOTIATE WITH THE SHOOTER BELOW

Police were initially called to Elphinstone Drive, Kirwan just before 8pm.

It was understood the Avenues Tavern had also been locked down.

Residents in the exclusion zone were urged to stay inside their properties and lock their doors.

Police have set up at the Avenues Tavern while they respond to an incident in Kirwan. Picture: Leighton Smith

Queensland Ambulance were called to the command post and were on standby.

The fatal end to the Kirwan siege follows a similar situation in Mackay just over three months ago when police were forced to barricade the main road leading to the public hospital after a man reportedly pointed a gun at officers.

STATE TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING

Residents in Kirwan who witnessed Sunday’s tragic siege will be afforded specialised counselling by the state government following the horrific events.

Outreach will be provided by the Queensland government and the Red Cross in an area within the immediate vicinity of the Kirwan street where gunman Mark Raisin fired multiple times at police and civillian vehicles before taking his own life.

An outreach team from the state government’s disaster response Ready Reserves will begin conducting door-knocks alongside Red Cross counsellors to complete follow up visits to neighbours who live near where the incident occurred.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said ‘help is available to anyone who needs it’.

“We know that these types of incidents can be traumatic and distressing for neighbours and witnesses.

“It is important that anyone who is struggling has access to the help they need to support their recovery.”
Kirwan residents who need support can call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for information or to access support services such as counselling.

Originally published as Kirwan siege ended, police find body in home