Gunfire reported in Dulwich Hill as police hunt for armed man

Gunfire was reported in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, as police searched for an armed man believed to be involved in a dispute over a stolen van. The incident occurred around 10:20 am on Friday near Williams Parade and Constitution Road. According to witnesses, the man allegedly set fire to the van, which had been stolen from a neighboring suburb earlier in the week, before fleeing on foot with a sawn-off shotgun. Tactical police units, a police helicopter, and general duties officers were deployed to the area. Authorities confirmed that no shots were fired at the scene despite initial reports of gunfire. An image of a suspect was released by NSW Police. The man is described as approximately 160 cm tall, thin, with shaggy hair, and was last seen wearing a black hooded jersey and long black pants. He evaded capture via Union Street and remained at large. Local businesses, cafes, and two public schools, Dulwich Hill Public School and Summer Hill Public School, were placed under lockdown. Parents were informed late in the afternoon that schools could resume normal operations for the end-of-day pickup. Some apartments on Williams Parade required police assistance for residents to return home. Police urged residents to stay indoors and avoid contact with the suspect, emphasizing that he was armed with a shotgun. Authorities requested citizens to provide dashcam footage or other relevant video evidence by uploading it to police channels. A heavy police presence continued in the area throughout the afternoon. Residents were advised to remain inside their homes, and travelers were directed away from the affected zone. A local cafe was closed temporarily, and light rail services between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield were halted for several hours before resuming normal operations. No injuries were reported in either the Dulwich Hill incident or the subsequent events. Separately, at 12:35 am on Friday, bullets were allegedly fired at a residence on Willis Street, Lansvale. Three individuals inside the house, a 21-year-old man, a 23-year-old man, and a 59-year-old woman, were not injured. Police arrived at the scene and stopped a gray sedan on Hollywood Drive. Officers reportedly discovered a balaclava and a firearm in the vehicle before arresting three occupants: two males aged 16 and 18, and a 17-year-old female. All three were charged with offenses including being armed with intent to commit an indictable offense, firing a firearm at a house with disregard for safety, possessing an unauthorized pistol, and participating in a criminal group. The two teenagers were denied bail at a Children's Court on Friday and are scheduled to appear in court again on October 23. The 18-year-old male will face a bail hearing on Saturday. No arrests were made related to the initial incident in Dulwich Hill. Investigations continue into both cases.