Multiple fatalities, man arrested after shooting in Darwin
Police say a man who opened fire in Darwin on Tuesday night, killing four men and injuring one woman, was on parole and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Officers were called at about 5.45pm local time (6.15pm AEST), after reports of shots fired in the Darwin city area.
The suspected shooter was at large for about an hour, before a 45-year-old man was arrested in the Stuart Park area at about 6.45pm.
NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said officers were able to track down the suspected shooter after he contacted a police duty superintendent, who alerted others to his location.
"He asked to be placed into protective custody, which we did," Commissioner Kershaw said.
"We do believe he may have been trying to hand himself in. We're not sure."
Commissioner Kershaw said the suspected shooter is a man who is "well-known" to police and has had a number of adverse interactions with the police force.
He said the man was released on parole in about January this year, and is currently being held at hospital.
Police are still trying to establish the intent or motivation behind the shooting, which was carried out with a shotgun.
"Unfortunately and sadly four people have lost their lives this evening," Commissioner Kershaw said.
A police operation is ongoing in Darwin, with more than 100 police officers examining crime scenes including the Buff Club, Palms Motel, Coles Express and police facility the Peter McAulay Centre as they trace the shooter's steps.
Commissioner Kershaw said the gunman may have tried to enter the police facility at some stage.
A NT Health spokeswoman said two people have been taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Witnesses saw man 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]."
NT Chief minister Michael Gunner said: "This is not the Darwin we know."
"On behalf of Territorians, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and everybody else who has been impacted," Mr Gunner said.
"I thank our police and first responders."
with Nick Miller in London