Man arrested after four people killed by gunman at Darwin motel

A man has been arrested after four people were killed in a shooting at a motel in Darwin, northern Australia.

Multiple people have also been injured after the gunman opened fire at the Palms Motel near the city's central business district.

Police were first alerted shortly before 6pm local time to the incident, the man was taken into custody after going on the run for an hour.

The shooter is believed to be a 45-year-old Caucasian male who had recently been released from prison and was wearing an electronic tag whilst on probation.

Police arrested a man following the shootings, he remains in custody. Credit: ABC News / AP

In a statement Northern Territory Police said the shooting is "not believed to be terror related", adding "there is no ongoing threat to the community" as police investigations continue.

Police confirmed there are four fatalities, multiple injuries and multiple crime scenes.

Two people were taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital with gunshot wounds - both were in stable condition, a Health Department statement said.

  • What do we know about the shootings and the shooter?

Officers received the first call around 5.45pm on Tuesday afternoon.

It is thought the gunman used a pump action shotgun as he opened fire at the Palms Motel in the Darwin suburb of Woolner.

In a press conference, Northern Territory authorities said the shooter had recently been released from prison, having served more than a year behind bars, was on parole and wearing an electronic tag at the time of the shooting.

Police confirmed the man was wearing a high-visibility shirt and driving a white dual-cab pickup truck at the time of his arrest.

Authorities warned the public not to approach the man, who spent an hour on the run. He was described as "armed and dangerous".

He was detained after reportedly being TASERed by officers, followed by a confrontation on the ground next to a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Officers have yet to charge the man as investigations continue.

Police said a man was taken into custody following the shooting. Credit: ABC News / AP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is in the United Kingdom ahead of D-Day commemorations due to take place later this week, condemned the "terrible act of violence".

He extended his "deep condolences and sympathy" to everyone affected.

The country has some of the world's strictest gun laws after a spate of violent attacks in the 1990s.

Off the back of the shootings, Canberra introduced laws which, for the most part, have cut the number of attacks using weapons.