Four men are dead and a woman is injured after Darwin's worst mass shooting in 30 years unfolded yesterday afternoon.
The 45-year-old has been accused of using a pump action shotgun to go on a hour-long shooting spree in the CBD.
Local media reports the alleged gunman moved 'calmly' as he went about his attack. It's since been revealed he was on parole after being released from prison in January and was 'well-known' to police.
9 News reports he had links to an outlaw motorcycle gang. He's now in hospital and was reportedly wearing an electronic tracking bracelet when arrested.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said there are five crime scenes across the city: "This is an active police investigation. There are a number of details still to be confirmed.
"This is not the Darwin we know.
"As Chief Minister, on behalf of Territorians, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and everybody else who has been impacted.
"I thank our police and first responders. This has been an incredibly difficult night tonight."
Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw added: "Unfortunately, and sadly, four people have lost their lives this evening, this afternoon.
"Our hearts and the police family and the wider community are with you tonight and we're here to support all of our community and those that have lost their loved ones."
A witness described the gunman as going from 'room to room' when he entered the Palms Motel. He was arrested in Stuart Park about an hour after allegedly carrying out his shooting spree.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the man came from a prominent Darwin family and has been in and out of the criminal system for more than a decade.
A former friend told the newspaper: "He was just a normal guy growing up but at some stage, maybe 15 or 16 years ago, we drifted to a normal life, and he drifted to a life of drugs and crime. As far as I know, the last 15 years he's been in and out of jail."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out terrorism as the motivation for the attack.
"The true motivations of this criminal and violent act will become better known but there is a person I understand that is in custody and they will work through those normal processes," he said.
"But in the meantime I think it's important that everyone in Darwin, everyone in the territory understands that the thoughts of Australians wherever they are, whether a far away as where I am today or closer to home, they will be thinking very much of their fellow Australians in the territory."
Featured Image Credit: ABC