A peaceful Christmas Eve in a Canberra suburb was shattered by a major police operation, culminating in the arrest of a shirtless man reportedly armed with a gun. The incident in Whitlam prompted an official emergency alert, confining residents to their homes for around two hours as heavily armed officers brought the situation under control.
Chaos on a quiet cul-de-sac
Just after 8:30pm on December 24, 2025, lights and sirens swarmed Hazel Hawke Avenue in the suburb of Whitlam. The scene quickly escalated with the arrival of ambulances, fire trucks, and multiple police units, including a tactical team often referred to as a SWAT team. The road was cordoned off from Sculthorpe Avenue, creating a dramatic spectacle for locals on their evening walks.
An official emergency alert was issued, instructing people in the area to remain indoors. Cars slowed and curious teenagers gathered at the roundabout at the edge of the closure, trying to glimpse the unfolding drama. On social media and neighbourhood chats, unconfirmed reports of an "active shooter" circulated, reflecting heightened community anxiety following the Bondi mass shooting less than two weeks prior.
A tense confrontation captured
The focus of the operation was a home on adjacent Mallard Street. A witness described hearing a man yelling "f--- off" multiple times. Journalist Bageshri Savyasachi, reporting from the scene, was told by a serious-faced officer to take cover as it was not safe to be on the road.
Obtained photos from the scene show a police tactical team surrounding the property. Another image captures the shirtless 39-year-old male occupant crouching on a fence, appearing to point a weapon at police. A neighbour said the man seemed "high" and unstable, and described officers shouting, "Put it down! Put it down now!"
The witness recounted that the man was giving police "a mouthful" and had reportedly "grabbed" another person before letting them go after negotiation. "We were waiting until after they were gone to celebrate," the neighbour said, referring to his baby's first Christmas the next day.
Arrest and aftermath
Just after 9pm, police began to disperse with a tip-off that "they've got the guy." ACT Policing later confirmed they had a person of interest in custody. Following the arrest, about half a dozen tactical officers searched the home on Mallard Street.
As the main police presence dwindled, the street grew darker. Uniformed officers and detectives remained, searching with torches along footpaths, nature strips, and into backyards, apparently looking for evidence. By 9:30pm, calm had returned, allowing residents to venture out.
One father at the scene told the Canberra Times he wasn't overly scared because there was "a full SWAT team outside," but he wanted the situation resolved so his baby could sleep before Christmas Day. Another resident expressed surprise, saying he had never seen such an operation in the area but felt police had it under control.
By 10pm, police issued a public statement confirming there was no further threat and thanking residents for their cooperation. The 39-year-old man is set to face criminal charges at the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day), after which more details are expected.
This Christmas Eve operation follows a fatal police incident in Isabella Plains last month and occurs amidst growing concern over gun-related crimes in the ACT. The outdated firearms register, however, limits clear understanding of local gun ownership density.
