At least five people were killed when a crazed gunman went on a shooting rampage with a pump-action shotgun in a motel, police have confirmed
A suspected gunman, who police have told local media is a 45-year-old caucasian man in high-vis workwear suspected to have been "acting alone," in an hour-long shooting rampage in inner Darwin first reported to police around 6pm local-time.
The ABC reports witnesses say the gunman was asking for someone called "Alex" before he stormed the Palms Motel and began shooting up rooms. A couple have described hiding in the shower while the man, who they believed have been kicked out after staying at the motel, appeared to be hunting for someone.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who learned of the shootings while visiting London, has tweeted the "terrible act of violence" is not believed to be terror-related as police in Darwin say they are dealing with 'multiple' crime scenes.
Unconfirmed reports say following the motel carnage, a man was shot on a street just outside the city centre, and another person is also believed to have had their throat club at the Buff Club, as chaos and confusion erupted across the inner city early evening Tuesday.
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Northern Territory Police confirmed to news.com.au at least five people were dead and two more were injured as officers work through a "number of crime scenes" to determine whether there are more victims.
Police said the suspect was shirtless when armed officers in camouflage fatigues surrounded his truck, tackled and arrested him. Footage of the incident shows a blood-spattered man on the ground next to a white utility vehicle around an hour after the first reports of an active gunman began issuing in.
NT Police Duty Superintendent Lee Morgan told local media police believe the shooter acted alone, saying they are dealing with up to five crime scenes.
A witness told the ABC he saw the gunman walk into the Palms Motel with a "sawn-off shotgun" and calmly open fire.
"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," witness John Rose told the broadcaster.
Mr Rose said once the gunman left they went in and found one of the shooting victims.
"This lady turned up and started screaming, and we didn't realise there was another person in there… apparently he's dead, he's been shot," Mr Rose told the broadcaster.
Another witness claimed she heard what sounded like the crackle of fireworks, a woman was shot through her motel room door.
Leah Potter told the ABC a man came running out of the motel with a woman in his arms and dropped her on the ground.
The witness described how she saw the woman appeared to have been shot in the legs. She said the victim, who appeared "shocked" but conscious, was bleeding and covered in tiny hole-shaped wounds as she wrapped her in towels.
She described seeing a gunman with a pump-action shotgun running down the street away from the motel.
According to reports, two people have been taken to hospital in a stable condition following the shooting.
Footage from the scene shows armed police and patrol cars surrounding a white utility truck, with pictures capturing a bloodied man being held to the ground by officers.
Police told local media the suspect has been taken into custody.
Speaking to media in London, Mr Morrison said he had been in contact with the Northern Territory's leaders and extended his condolences to the "very tight community" he said will have been rocked by the killings.
"Our advice is that this is not a terrorist act. There's nothing to suggest that is the case, whatsoever. The true motivations of this criminal violent act will become better known.
"There is a person, I understand, that is in custody and they will work through those normal processes.
"But in the meantime I think it's important that to everyone in Darwin, everyone in the Territory, understands that the thoughts of Australians wherever they are - as far away as I am today, or closer to home - they will be thinking very much of their fellow Australians in the Territory."
