A tense standoff in Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens ended peacefully on Tuesday afternoon when police arrested an allegedly armed man after three hours of negotiations.
Queensland Police were called to the popular riverside park around 1:30pm following reports of a man sitting on a bench holding what officers described as an “edged weapon.” The incident prompted authorities to close the gardens, cordon off large sections, and urge the public to avoid the area.
Specialist officers engaged the man in lengthy negotiations while paramedics remained on standby. Shortly before 5pm, police successfully took the man into custody without serious incident. He was transported to hospital with minor injuries for assessment.
The lockdown caused significant disruption in Brisbane’s CBD, as the 18-hectare Botanic Gardens, which stretch along 1.2 kilometres of the Brisbane River, are a major public space near the Queensland University of Technology and the state parliament. Visitors were evacuated during the standoff, and entrances were guarded by police until the situation was resolved.
By late afternoon, the park was reopened to the public. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and have not yet released details about the man’s identity or possible motives.
The swift resolution avoided harm to bystanders, though the incident has raised concerns about safety in one of the city’s most frequented recreational areas. Authorities are expected to review the response as part of standard procedure following such high-profile operations.
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