A manhunt is underway for a man police allege is "armed, dangerous and irrational" and possibly carrying an AK-47, following several terrifying shooting incidents in Brisbane earlier this week.
Brisbane Region Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham confirmed an arrest warrant has been issued for 27-year-old Mitchell James Wilson after a suspicious fire at Sunnybank on Thursday night and two other altercations earlier that day where he allegedly discharged a firearm at Brendale and Mt Gravatt.
Police have urged the man to turn himself in and asked anyone helping him to evade authorities to "do the right thing".
Police say Mr Wilson was allegedly involved in a struggle with another man at a business at Brendale about 2:45pm on Thursday, where he is alleged to have discharged the semi-automatic weapon several times.
CCTV of the altercation, which Superintendent Massingham described as "disturbing and concerning", shows Mr Wilson pull a large gun from a black bag and begin shooting it in the direction of the man.
"He became engaged in a discussion with another male that became heated," Superintendent Massingham said on Sunday.
Superintendent Massingham said Mr Wilson returned to his vehicle during the dispute and obtained the semi-automatic firearm.
"That firearm is discharged a number of times," he said.
"Shortly thereafter there would be what I'd call a life-and-death struggle for that firearm between the men that lasted for some time."
Mr Wilson then allegedly took the gun and left the premises in a grey Audi, which has now been located.
The man is currently on bail for drug trafficking and cut off his ankle-tracking device at Bracken Ridge shortly after the incident at Brendale, Superintendent Massingham said.
Then, at about 8:55pm on Thursday, Mr Wilson allegedly waited for two women to leave a business on Logan Rd at Mt Gravatt.
"While armed with this firearm [he] parked in a nearby laneway and waited on a seat for two females that were working at a nearby business," Superintendent Massingham said.
"When those females walked down a darkened laneway, Mr Wilson appeared and ordered one of those females to enter the Audi."
When the woman refused to get into the car, Mr Wilson allegedly threatened her with the gun.
"Fearing for their lives, both women left on foot hiding in bushes and when they did flee, they heard a shot fired," Superintendent Massingham said.
About 20 minutes later, Mr Wilson is alleged to have arrived at a Sunnybank property looking for the same woman who he allegedly approached at Mt Gravatt.
When a man answered the door, Mr Wilson allegedly poured a jerry can of fuel down the hallway of the property and set the home alight, police said.
"That man was able to flee to safety, but a pet dog did perish in that fire," Superintendent Massingham said.
Police concerned about suspect's possible access to firearms
Superintendent Massingham said there had been warnings on the police database about Mr Wilson and his access to firearms for some time and the man has previously been charged with weapons offences.
The warrant issued is for charges including arson and going armed to cause fear, as well as other weapons offences, police said on Sunday.
"We cannot exclude that it's an AK-47… certainly it's significant weaponry that concerns me," Superintendent Massingham said of the gun Mr Wilson had been seen carrying.
Police have been recalled to duty to search for Mr Wilson, but he has so far not been located.
Members of the public have been urged to keep an eye out for the man and accommodation providers are also asked to check their records.
"I consider this man armed dangerous irrational but particularly unpredictable," Superintendent Massingham said.
"It is important as a community that we do all we can to locate Mr Wilson."
Police say his behaviour is becoming more serious and they want him to surrender.
"We ask if people are harbouring him to do the right thing and convince him to hand himself in to the nearest police station," Superintendent Massingham said.
"I urge Mr Wilson if he hears my message today to make contact with us."
Superintendent Massingham urged anyone who sees the man carrying the weapon to call triple-0 and not to approach him.
"Our advice is simply to note where he is, phone us and our response will be swift," Superintendent Massingham said.
Mr Wilson is described as being Caucasian, about 185cm tall with a solid build, light brown hair and hazel eyes.
