A ride-share driver has been arrested and a water pistol seized after reports of a man firing a replica firearm near NSW Parliament triggered a major police response.
Shortly after 1pm on Thursday, the man was allegedly seen firing the gun into the ground on Hospital Road, behind parliament.
Officers swarmed the area before a crime scene was established and a manhunt launched to find the alleged offender, who had left the scene in a vehicle before police arrived.
But just four hours later, the search came to an unexpected end when the ride-share driver was arrested in Mascot with a water pistol in his possession.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station, but has not been charged.
NSW Police said the water pistol had been seized and would be “subject to further examination”.
Police search for evidence after a man fired a replica firearm in Hospital Road behind NSW Parliament House. Credit: Alexandra Smith
Parliament staff had called police after seeing a person acting suspiciously. The incident occurred while state parliament was sitting.
“We can confirm there was and is no threat to anyone at parliament. There have been no reported injuries,” the Department of Parliamentary Services security branch said in a statement earlier on Thursday afternoon.
Several police cars had gathered near The Domain and officers scoured the area before the crime scene was packed up a short time later.
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