Domain Central shopper speaks after armed road rage incident left customers ‘barricaded’ in store

An act of road rage took a turn after a man reportedly pulled out a weapon at a busy shopping precinct, causing a shop to close its doors with customers inside.

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AN ACT of road rage took a turn after a man reportedly pulled out a weapon at a busy shopping precinct, causing a shop to close its doors with customers inside.

Police were called to the Domain Central centre in Garbutt at 11.20am on Wednesday to reports of a person who had pulled a weapon out while they were in the car park.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said a disturbance in the car park over a vehicle that had been blocking traffic had sparked an argument before the incident escalated.

When officers arrived, the man had left the area.

Officers spoke with witnesses at the Salvation Army store, while a search for the man – who was spotted driving in a white utility vehicle – began.

A QPS spokesman said at the time, no concerns were held for the safety of the public.

Aeryn Sandford, 21, was one of the customers who was inside the Salvation Army store at the time of the incident.

Ms Sandford said she heard a car outside “aggressively beeping”, which drew the attention of customers inside the shop.

“I thought nothing of it, like it was a bit of road rage, and then a white truck zoomed past aggressively and all of a sudden people got out yelling and screaming,” Ms Sandford said.

Fearing for her safety, she went back inside the store when a woman entered – followed by a man “swearing at the top of his lungs”, and a companion, who was filming the incident.

The arguing continued inside the store, with the shopkeeper then calling security who escorted the man outside.

“He was still carrying on until security were called,” Ms Sandford said.

“The shopkeeper locked the doors and we were locked in while we waited for the police to come.”

Ms Sandford said the “amazing” female shopkeeper made sure she was okay after the stressful encounter.

It is understood police were still searching for the persons involved at the time of print.

1PM: POLICE are continuing their search for a person who reportedly pulled a firearm during an altercation at a local shopping centre.

A QPS spokesman said police believe the person decamped from the Domain Central centre in a white utility.

Incident at Domain Salvos

The spokesman said while police were still patrolling, no concerns for public safety were currently held.

Officers are talking with witnesses who saw the altercation in front of the Salvation Army store at the centre.

UPDATE 12PM:

Police are on the hunt for suspects after an incident involving a firearm at a busy Townsville shopping precinct.

Calls were made to police at 11.20am outlining reports of an armed person at Domain Central on Duckworth st, near the Salvation Army store.

Crews are currently on the scene.

A Queensland police spokeswoman said a disturbance at the centre over a vehicle that was blocking traffic sparked an argument before the incident escalated.

She said the people involved have since decamped from the shopping centre, and that police were searching for people matching their description.

More to follow.

INITIAL 11.30am:

POLICE are responding to reports of an armed person at a busy Townsville shopping precinct.

Officers were called to Domain Central outlet centre on Duckworth St at 11.20am to reports that a person was armed.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman confirmed crews were on the scene investigating the report, but could not yet confirm details.

More information to come.

The Salvation Army store at Domain Central after there were reports of an armed person.

Originally published as Domain Central shopper speaks after armed road rage incident left customers ‘barricaded’ in store