Police barricaded a gun store in Adelaide, South Australia on Monday (10 May), finally shooting dead a man who had held the owner and staff hostage. The man died in hospital from gunshot wounds in the stomach.

The drama began when a men walked into the shop, on Adelaide's main shopping avenue, Rundle Street. He selected a shotgun. The staff became suspicious and called the police. At that point the man ordered the staff into a backroom after firing at a showcase.

Meanwhile, police squads with Armalite rifles and tear gas grenade launchers, barricaded the area, placing marksmen at strategic points on nearby buildings. The staff and some customers escaped through the back door as police fired tear gas grenades into the store front, warning the man to give himself up.

In scenes reminiscent of a television crime series, the man smashed the store front window, placed two shotguns on the pavement and climbed outside. He then ignored further warnings by the police and picked up the two shotguns. As he walked down towards people watching from behind barricades, he waved the guns in the air.

Suddenly, as the gunman faced across the street, a police marksman opened fire and the man collapsed with a stomach wound. He died later in hospital. The police found that both shotguns were loaded and cocked to fire. However, they were unable to identify the man or explain any reason for his behaviour.

This film is serviced with a commentary in English by Channel 10, Adelaide reporter Chris Gunn. A transcript appears overleaf.