Brunswick siege: Man shot dead, another arrested in Melbourne's north - ABC Online

Updated December 02, 2014 10:43:42

A man has been found shot dead and another arrested after a five-hour standoff with police at a house in Brunswick, in Melbourne's north.

Police initially said the body was found in the backyard of the Donald Street property about 9.30pm on Monday, but later confirmed it was discovered on the footpath outside the house.

A 39-year-old man armed with a gun held two women hostage in a bungalow at the rear of the property before surrendering to police at 2.30am.

Detective Inspector Ray McLeod-Dryden said there was a number of people at the scene when they arrived.

"[When they arrived] they were confronted by a number of persons at that address who are believed to be family members and friends," he said.

"It soon became apparent to the police members that there was also a male inside the address that was possibly armed with a firearm and possibly holding hostages."

Negotiators spoke to the man until he finally emerged and was arrested without incident.

But police would not confirm reports one of the women being held hostage was the gunman's mother.

"All we can say at this stage is that the victim who is deceased and the person who was responsible for the shooting are known to each other," he said.

Neighbour Ron Scott said he knew the people involved and it was a sad night.

"They're only young people. They're all relations and friends," he said.

"There was just a lot of arguing and bits and pieces, and the next minute 'bang'.

"There was a lot of screaming and pushing and shoving and I heard one big bang."

Police said the 39-year-old was in custody and a woman, who was also at the property, was helping police with their investigation but was not under arrest.

Topics: police-sieges, death, brunswick-3056, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted December 02, 2014 06:28:14