By Riley Walter
A ride-share driver has been charged and a water pistol seized after reports of a man shooting a replica firearm near NSW Parliament led to a major police response.
Shortly after 1pm on Thursday, the man was allegedly seen shooting the gun into the ground on Hospital Road, behind parliament.
The water pistol seized by police after the incident behind NSW Parliament.Credit: NSW Police
Officers swarmed the area and a manhunt was launched to find the alleged offender, who had driven off before police arrived. Hours later the search came to an end when ride-share driver, Waqar Hassan Virk, 28, was arrested in Mascot carrying a water pistol.
He was taken to Mascot police station and charged with one count of possessing an unauthorised firearm. NSW Police said the water pistol had been seized and would be “subject to further examination”.
Virk was refused bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.
Parliament staff had called police after seeing a person acting suspiciously. The incident occurred while state parliament was sitting.
Police responded to the scene on Hospital Road.Credit: Alexandra Smith
“We can confirm there was and is no threat to anyone at parliament. There have been no reported injuries,” the Department of Parliamentary Services security branch said in a statement earlier on Thursday afternoon.
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