‘Dangerous and irrational’ man allegedly sets fire to a house and fires a semi-automatic rifle in terrifying crime spree – as police launch manhunt
- Mitchell James Wilson wanted by police
- He allegedly burned down a house
A man is on the run after allegedly firing a gun and setting fire to a house with police warning the public to not approach him as he may be ‘armed and dangerous’.
Mitchell James Wilson, 27, who is also an accused drug trafficker, allegedly threatened several people with a semi-automatic firearm in three separate incidents across Brisbane on Thursday.
Queensland Police’s Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham released photos and footage on Sunday as police desperately search for the man’s whereabouts.
‘I consider this man armed, dangerous, irrational but particularly unpredictable,’ he said.
Queensland Police allege Mitchell Wilson, 27, threatened several people with a firearm during three separate incidents across Brisbane on Thursday. They also allege he burned down a house
Det Supt Massingham said CCTV of the incident was disturbing, and appeared to show two men in a ‘life or death’ struggle for the weapon
Mr Wilson is alleged to have fired a gun into the ground during an altercation with a man he knew at a business at Brendale, north Brisbane, at 2.45pm on Thursday.
Det Supt Massingham said CCTV of the incident was disturbing, and appeared to show two men in a ‘life or death’ struggle for the weapon.
‘How no-one was shot during that incident is a big surprise to me,’ he said.
Police became aware shortly afterwards that Mr Wilson’s ankle monitoring bracelet had been left in Bracken Ridge, also in north Brisbane.
He had been wearing the device as part of his bail conditions related to alleged drug trafficking offences, police said.
Mr Wilson is then alleged to have ordered a woman to get into his grey Audi after he drove to a business at Mount Gravatt, south of Brisbane, later that night at 8.55pm.
Police said he approached two women, both known to him, as they left the building before he instructed one of them to come with him.
‘She refused. He then returned to the vehicle, obtained the firearm and threatened both women with that firearm,’ Det Supt Massingham said.
‘Fearing for their lives, both women fled on foot, hiding in nearby bushes.’
Mr Wilson then allegedly fired his gun as the pair fled. Neither woman was injured.
Mr Wilson later allegedly arrived at a house at Sunnybank, south of Brisbane, with a gun and jerry can of fuel.
Police allege he threatened a resident before setting the house on fire and fleeing the scene at 9.15pm.
‘How no-one was shot during that incident is a big surprise to me,’ Det Supt Massingham said
Police further allege that while at the Sunnybank home, he was searching for one of the women from the Mount Gravatt incident.
The home was destroyed and a pet was killed in the blaze. No persons were injured.
Extensive searches have failed to locate Mr Wilson and police are urging him to surrender.
‘I urge Mr Wilson, if he hears my message today, to make contact with police and safely negotiate his surrender,’ Det Supt said.
He is described as Caucasian, about 185cm tall with a solid build, light brown hair and hazel eyes.
He is believed to be armed and should not be approached. Anyone who sees him should call triple zero.
