The man accused of killing four people and wounding one more during a string of shootings in Darwin last night was known to authorities and had been released on parole in January, Northern Territory Police have confirmed.
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Speaking to the media last night after the deadly incident, NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters the 45-year-old suspect had spent more than a year in jail and was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at the time of his arrest.
Kershaw said the suspect was detained at around 6.45pm after calling a police duty superintendent, who then directed other officers to the man’s location.
Officers were then able to apprehend the man at a CBD roundabout.
“He asked to be placed into protective custody, which we did,” Kershaw added, saying police are considering whether the suspect’s call was an attempt to hand himself in.
Police are now investigating the man’s alleged ties to outlaw bikie gangs, after last night ruling out the violence as a terrorism-related incident.
Numerous crime scenes have been established across the city with more than 100 officers in attendance.
The man is suspected of using a shotgun to kill one person at the Palms Motel in the CBD, one at The Buff Club, one on Garden Hills Crescent, and another on Jolly Street.
A crime scene has also been set up at the Peter McAulay Centre, a Darwin police complex. It is alleged the suspect attempted to enter the building at some point in the evening.
The man is currently in custody in hospital.
