Gunman on the loose near the MCG

[RG]

Just came across this http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...-1225882177753

UPDATE 11am: A MANHUNT is underway for a gunman in the Melbourne Park sports precinct after he reportedly shot at police and led them on a high-speed chase.

Heavily armed police have swooped on Melbourne's sports precinct, which is in lockdown during the hunt for the gunman.

The man, of Spanish appearance and in his mid-20s, is believed to be armed with a shotgun and witnesses say that he has been spotted in the area around Melbourne's sports precinct

The hunt follows a dramatic high-speed pursuit on the Monash Freeway through several suburbs this morning.

Police have just released a description of the man who is described as in his mid-20s, of Spanish appearance, with straight dark hair, wearing a dark jacket with red or orange t-shirt underneath and silver tracksuit pants.

He is considered highly dangerous and authorities have warned people not to approach the man.

Are you affected? Contact our newsdesk on (03) 9292 1226
MMS pictures to 0404 333 444 or email online@heraldsun.com.au

Police have warned the public to stay away from the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Olympic Park precinct as heavily-armed police wearing bullet-proof vests were seen entering the sports precinct.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena have been closed.

Several roads are closed to traffic and pedestrians on Olympic Boulevard, Batman Avenue, Punt Road, Wellington Parade and Brunton Avenue.

The Rod Laver Bridge has also been closed to pedestrian traffic.

Members of the public are strongly urged to stay well clear of the area, while hundreds of workers have been forced to stay inside in the area.

Metro has suspended all train services between Richmond Station and Flinders Street Station, triggering major delays with some trains on the City Loop stopped.

Trams have also been affected.

It is understood that the drama began when shots were fired at police near Nunawading triggering the police chase along the Monash Freeway.

The gunman may have then escaped at Punt Rd, possibly driving a blue Holden Commodore.

Witnesses saw as many as five police cars weaving across several lanes of inbound traffic this morning about 9.30am as they pursued another car.

While details remain sketchy, witnesses says a police car was left smashed up, possibly after hitting a median barrier.

At least four unmarked cars and at least one marked car are believed to be involved in the pursuit, which raced along the Monash Freeway and CityLink into the city.

Some witnesses believe that during the incident one car deliberately rammed a police car, which in turn collided with a BMW 4WD on the busy freeway.

Caller Peter told Radio 3AW that a police car was left “pretty smashed up” just before the Domain Tunnel, while the BMW was left damaged near St Kevin’s College.

Another witness told the station he watched as a “blue Commodore took out a police car, which then took out the BMW X5”.

It appears remaining police cars continued to tail a white van as it continued weaving erratically into the Domain Tunnel.

“The car has taken off with about four or five unmarked and one marked police car chasing him coming into the tunnel, and going into the West Gate. Police everywhere,” caller Danny said.

Had the Police going up and down Flinders St out the front of my building for a bit now.

Hopefully they catch him soon, I'm going for a run up that way in half an hour and getting shot at would slow me down significantly.