Man has firearm in Mt Austin house, police say | Photos

He faces a string of charges.

7pm: Reporter Brodie Owen filed this report compiling the thoughts of McKell Avenue residents. They say the drug ice has ‘ruined’ their once-peaceful street.

Police are treating Wednesday’s incident as an aggravated break and enter. They say their suspect  – believed to be a 26-year-old man – is still at large.

2.30pm: Wagga police duty officer Inspector Peter McLay told the Advertiser at the scene police cleared the house but there was no one inside.

Police believe the suspect may have fled before authorities arrived.

Inspector McLay confirmed the house was known to police.

“We’re still investigating what’s transpired here today, and in previous days, and we have two people assisting police with those inquires as we speak,” he said.

Police said other male occupants of the McKell Avenue home jumped windows for safety at a neighbour’s house.

Forensics are currently sweeping the house for weapons, but Inspector McLay could not confirm at this stage whether shots were fired.

2pm: Tweet from Superintendent Bob Noble.

1.30pm: The siege at Mt Austin is over.

Wagga police commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, has just released a statement saying: Perimeters at Mt Austin have been released. Further statement to be issued. No serious injuries to any person.

1.15pm: A McKell Avenue resident has told The Daily Advertiser the property where a siege has developed is considered a “troubled house” by neighbours.

The resident said police were called to the house at least once a week.

Another resident said she heard what she thought was a gunshot about 11pm on Tuesday.

Two locals have blamed the drug ice for problems in the street.

McKell Avenue residents have been told by police if they leave the street they will not be allowed back in until after the siege has ended.

12.30pm: Wagga police have set up a command post in Jack Avenue amid reports of shots being fired at a person and a siege in a McKell Avenue house.

They are urging people to stay away from Jack and McKell avenues as they try to contain the situation.

Wagga police commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, told The Daily Advertiser it was not yet known if anyone had been hurt in the incident, which was reported to police about noon.

“A male is alleged to be armed with a firearm,” Superintendent Noble said.

He described the situation for residents around the scene as a “lock down”.

Police have been placed around the area to divert traffic.