Multiple fatalities, man arrested after shooting in Darwin: police
At least four people have been killed, two people are in hospital and a man is in custody after a gunman opened fire in Darwin on Tuesday night.
The incident began just before 6pm local time (6.30pm AEST), when police received several reports of shots fired in the Darwin city area.
NT Police duty superintendent Lee Morgan said police responded to an "active shooter situation", with initial reports that a man was using a shotgun.
The suspected shooter was at large for about an hour. He moved to the inner Darwin suburb of Stuart Park, where further shots were fired, then moved to the adjacent suburb of Woolner.
At about 6.45pm, a 45-year-old caucasian man was arrested in the Stuart Park area without incident.
Police initially said two people died and two others were injured, but later confirmed at least four deaths.
A NT Health spokeswoman said two people have been taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Police believe the shooter was acting alone.
"There are no further concerns for the public at this time," Mr Morgan said.
Police are examining at least five crime scenes, including the Palms Motel in the city's centre, as they trace the shooter's steps.
Witnesses saw man walking with gun
Witness John Rose told the ABC he saw a man walk into the motel with a "sawn-off shotgun".
"He shot up all the rooms and he went to every room looking for somebody and he shot them all up, then we saw him rush out, jump into his Toyota pick-up, and rush off," Mr Rose said.
Other witnesses said they heard what sounded like firecrackers. A woman told the ABC she saw a man with a shotgun, and gave first aid to a woman who had been shot in the legs.
Max Campart was having a drink at the Punters Bar, across the road from the Palms Motel, when he heard about seven or eight shots.
Patrons were told to move towards the back of the bar and stay away from the windows.
"We didn’t know exactly what was happening. It was very loud,” Mr Campart said.
While inside the pub, he glimpsed the shooter walking down the street about 50 metres away.
“I saw a guy coming down the street in a white T-shirt with a gun in his hand," Mr Campart said.
Footage from the city's CBD showed tactical officers wearing camouflage surrounding a man who thrashed around on the ground. Onlookers were ushered away from the area.
'Terrible act of violence'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the shooting was a "terrible act of violence" and said he had been in contact with police and NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
"I just want to send my deep condolences and sympathies to all the people in the territory and particularly in Darwin," Mr Morrison said from London.
"This is a very tight community and I know they will be rocked by these events.
"I think it’s important that everyone in Darwin, everyone in the Territory, understands that the thoughts of Australians [are with them]."
with Nick Miller in London