Update after man holds man and one-year-old son hostage with high-powered rifle in Melbourne

Police say a man and his one-year-old son were held hostage in their home for about two hours, with the alleged offender set to face a series of charges.

The man who helda man and his one-year-old sonhostage in a random home in Melbourne’s west was wielding a high-powered rifle, according to police.

Police will allege a 26-year-old man stole a car in an aggravated carjacking in Snake Gully near Bending on Tuesday before heading towards Melton about 3.40pm.

The car was being monitored by police when it stopped at a Leon Drive address in Weir Views, where the man fired shots at police.

He then entered the backyard of a random home and was “behaving erratically” beforeentering and holding a man and his one-year-old son hostagefor about two hours.

Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse revelead the 26-year-old was armed with a high-powered rifle,but that he’s not aware of the 26-year-old making any demands while inside the home.

The man and baby were able to leave uninjured. Picture: 7News

The area was locked down quickly, with residents urged to stay indoors.

“I understand the community can be concerned by this action, we were able to lock it down,” Superintendent Cruse said on Today.

Police negotiated with the 26-year-old, and the man and toddler able to leave the address through a front window uninjured.

“As that was occurring we’ll allege that a further shot has been fired inside the house,” Superintendent Cruse said, however it’s not believed it was directed at the man and toddler.

“At that point a tactical entry of the house has taken place by police, we’ll allege at that point that a further show was fired towards the police entry team.”

Nearby residents were told to remain inside. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The police entry team did fire a shot, Superintendent Cruse confirmed, and are working to support the father held hostage following the incident.

“Last night he was with us for a long time — we’ll support him today, make some referrals to some support agencies for him,” Superintendent Cruse said.

“We’re working through rehabilitating the house, obviously there’s some damage in the house.”

He said the Snake Valley carjacking would have been “terrifying” for the 70-year-old woman, with support to be given to her as well.

“(The victims) have been spoken to by police again this morning, investigators will make sure that they get referrals and they’re okay,” Superintendent Cruse said.

“Undoubtedly it’s terrifying and very traumatic, and we’ll need to support them through this.”

He also confirmed the 26-year-old is set to be hit with a range of charges including aggravated carjacking, attempted aggravated carjacking, aggravated burglary, conduct endangering life, firearms offences, “and a whole range of other offences”.

The 26-year-old man was arrested after allegedly firing shots at police. Picture: 7News

Superintendent Cruse said responding officers will be supported following the incident and will hopefully have “a bit of a break from other incidents of this nature”.

While he’s unaware of exactly how the police dog is doing, he said he’s sure they’re “taking extra care”.

A resident earlier told Today the man who was held hostage was “always smiling” and “didn’t deserve that”.

“The facial expression on his face was just – it was heartbreaking, you know?” the resident said.

“A very nice, hardworking person, a family man didn’t deserve that type of traumatic (event),

and he can’t even live at his house after this, you know, probably has to stay away.”

After releasing the man and toddler, the 26-year-old allegedly fired at police again, with a police dog deployed to assist.

“He received a dog bite and he’s been injured,” Superintendent Cruse earlier told Today.

“He’s been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, admitted overnight.

“I expect that he will be released today – he’ll be interviewed by police and will be charged with a series of serious offences.”

The man is expected to be released and charged on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Superintendent Cruse commended the actions of emergency services who responded to the incident.

“It’s incredibly brave by all of the police, and I am very proud of the way that all Victoria Police members – and in fact, more broadly, the emergency services and frontline personnel – responded to this incident,” he said.

Images from a news helicopter show a man with no shirt on being detained at the scene by officers in camouflage fatigues while paramedics check him out.

A baby was also seen being handed to an armed officer metres outside the house in question.

Nearby residents were told to stay indoors as the incident unfolded.

“Police are advising residents in the vicinity of Leon Drive to stay inside their homes until advised further,” a police spokesperson said.

Residents of the surrounding streets told NewsWire they’d received calls from police to stay inside; however, one resident said police hadn’t shared information about what was happening.

The resident said police, including armed officers, were “everywhere” in the surrounding streets,

Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Originally published as Update after man holds man and one-year-old son hostage with high-powered rifle in Melbourne