Newtown siege ends with two men taken into custody after gunman, police fire shots

A standoff between police and an armed man at a Toowoomba home has come to an end after shots were fired during the six-hour siege that began when officers attempted to execute a return to prison warrant.

A six-hour siege of a Toowoomba home has come to an end after shots were fired during police negotiations with a man holed up in the suburban home.

At about 10.45am on Wednesday police attended a Park St property in Newtown to execute a return to prison warrant for a Toowoomba man.

When they arrived, police found multiple suspects in the house who they were unaware of, and after refusing to come out, the men told police they were in possession of a firearm.

A crime scene has been established at a Park Street home after the Newtown address was the scene of a six-hour standoff between police and a suspected armed man.

Darling Downs District Duty Officer Acting Senior Sergeant Greg Croft said a firearm was presented and threatened.

“Police then tactically repositioned, isolated and contained the scene. We then invoked a declaration of a Public Safety Preservation Act,” he said.

“We then negotiated with the (alleged) offenders inside. There was a number of persons inside who actually weren’t part of persons of interest (group), and they were released.

“We had two other offenders inside which we consistently engaged with. Specialised services came up from Brisbane, they took over the cordons and we continued the negotiation process.”

Police recovered this handgun from the scene of a dramatic siege in Newtown on December 21, 2022.

Sergeant Croft said about 5.40pm after six hours two men, aged 44 and 35, surrendered themselves to police and they were taken into custody.

A police spokeswoman said on Thursday morning the two men at the centre of the siege will appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court later today in relation to unrelated charges, including fraud and theft allegations.

Both men were wanted on outstanding warrants prior to the siege.

The 44-year-old is charged with seven counts of fraud, five counts of entering a premises and committing an indictable offence, two counts of possessing tainted property and one count of possessing suspected tainted property (jewelry).

The 35 year old is charged with six counts of entering a premises and committing an indictable offence, two counts of receiving tainted property, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of stealing.

Police said they are yet to charge the men in relation to the siege.

It is alleged, however, that the men fired a number of shots during the standoff, but it is unknown if those shots were directed at police, with officers returning one warning shot during the incident.

The PSPA was subsequently revoked at approximately 6pm and a crime scene was declared at the address.

The siege in Park St Newtown comes to an end. Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Investigations into the incident are underway, including investigations by the Ethical Standards Command with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

More than half a dozen marked and unmarked police cars cordoned off the scene as residents from nearby homes were evacuated to a safe location.

The emergency situation was declared just before midday and the area between Tor Street, Park Street and Dalmany Street was locked down.

Specialist police arrived at the scene of the Park St, Newtown, home earlier this afternoon as negotiations took place.

A person at the scene said SERT officers had taken up positions with rifles.

Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team on the scene of a standoff between police and an armed gunman at a Park St address in Newtown on December 21, 2022.

A nearby resident reported hearing the sound of “fireworks” with multiple bangs just before 5.30pm.

The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she and her daughters had been locked down all day.

“I don’t know it was very quick like ‘pew pew pew’ like a long firework going off than it stopped,” she said.

“I do hope no one was hurt.”

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— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 21, 2022

Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team on the scene of a standoff between police and an armed gunman at a Park St address in Newtown on December 21, 2022.

Police and emergency services at the scene of a standoff after attempting to execute a search warrant at a Park St, Newtown address.

Police and emergency services at the scene of a standoff after attempting to execute a search warrant at a Park St, Newtown address.

Police evacuated a number of residents from Park St.

A neighbour who lives next door to the siege said police have told her to stay indoors.

“I’m not that concerned now I was shocked because I didn’t know what was happening,” she said.

“It’s a good street because if you ever need an ambulance you put your hand out and wave because there is always one running down the street.

“If you ever need a police officer you put your hand out because there is always one running down the street.”

About a dozen people gathered on Tor St after their homes were evacuated.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.