Gold Coast dad faces down alleged gun threat

A Gold Coast father has retold the terrifying moment he watched a man who was allegedly carrying a gun approach his children outside his home.

A GOLD COAST man has faced down an alleged gunman in a Palm Beach street, in a bid to protect his children and alert police to the threat.

Nathan Bartolo, a single father, was watching his child playing outside of his home on Thursday afternoon when a man who appeared to be carrying a gun approached them.

“I thought, oh no he is going to start shooting,” Mr Bartolo told the Bulletin.

“Pushed the kids into a neighbour’s house, the bloke was walking past focused in a straight line waving the gun from left to right.

“Then put the gun underneath his chin,” he alleged.

Mr Bartolo said he followed the man after he passed the house, concerned for the well being of his neighbours.

“At that point I realised he hadn’t started shooting I thought in my head he is going straight for the police station.

“There was not time to call triple 0.”

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Gold Coast father Nathan Bartloto who jumped to action when he saw a man carrying what he believed to be a firearm. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Mr Bartolo, who said he had grabbed a sledge hammer to protect himself, followed the man and then ran to the back of the police station to alert the officers inside.

“I bashed and kicked the back of the staff entrance until they answered and then a male officer opened,” he said.

“The guy with the gun came around at that point so I jumped to the ground and skinned my knee.”

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Nathan Bartolo said he jumped to action because he didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Mr Bartolo said he was moved inside the station until officers disarmed the man.

Asked why he put himself at risk, Mr Bartolo said he was concerned.

“I just felt there was going to be a tragic ending, the police were sitting ducks. I thought it was right.”

Police confirmed they were aware of the incident. “Palm Beach police were notified by members of the public that a man, who appeared to be carrying a weapon, was on the footpath at the front of the station,” a spokesman confirmed.

“After issuing verbal commands the man was arrested without incident. After the arrest police established the weapon was a gel blaster.

“A 39-year-old man is assisting police with their inquiries.”