Croydon Swinburne: Man arrested after alleged gun incident

A man who was arrested after a toy gun prompted swarms of police to descend on a Swinburne University campus says he’s “lost for words” over the reaction.

A man who allegedly pointed a toy gun at a Swinburne University security guard filmed the moment police descended on to the campus.

The frightening incident took place at Swinburne University of Technology on Norton Rd in Croydon about 10.30am on Tuesday, believed to be near the campus’ plumbing and trades buildings.

A 22-year-old Woori Yallock man was arrested and later released pending further inquiries following the incident.

The TikTok video starts with the man pointing the gun at someone before police swarm the Croydon campus.

“What the f--k is happening, c--t,” he said.

“These c--ts have f---ing machine guns”.

After the incident, the man said on TikTok he was “beyond lost for words”.

“On my story previously you might have seen me playing around with a toy gun with a great big bright orange tip on it shooting suction cap shells at people … in class and stuff where there were teachers present.

“That is what that siege was over. That is what took place prior to those f---ing special forces police officers coming and shutting down Swinburne. I am the rampant gunman. What a f---ing joke.”

“I got accused of apparently threatening to murder a f---ing security guard and waving around an imitation firearm that I won at an arcade last night,” he said.

“They f---ing finally arrested me. They found the toy gun and laughed. They think that this is the biggest piss-take ever. This is a f---ing joke.”

The man has more than 30,000 followers on TikTok and regularly posts about cars.

Norton Rd was closed off by police following an incident at Swinburne University's Croydon campus on December 7. Picture: 3AW

Following Tuesday’s incident, one student told Leader the situation was “hectic” as tactical police swarmed the grounds looking for the allegedly armed man.

“The teacher ran in and said ‘there’s someone with a gun outside, a bloody crazy person, and they went out and locked all the doors and stuff”.

The student said he and about 80 students in the “plumbing barn” were later told to put their hands on their heads and evacuate to a carpark to get their IDs checked by police.

“It was a bit full-on, it was like being in America,” another student said.

Victoria Police confirmed they were called to reports of the incident.

“Specialist police, along with uniformed officers, quickly responded and cordoned off the area arresting the man shortly after,” Leading Senior Constable Rohan Imms said.

“The man was arrested without incident, no one was injured and police are not searching for anyone else in relation to the incident.”

A Croydon Swinburne spokesman said the university immediately locked down buildings and supported police with their activities.

“Swinburne wishes to thank all of our staff and students who supported the police during this time. Counselling has been offered to our staff and students,’’ the spokesman said.