A man has been charged after a Melbourne high school was sent into lock down after an armed man was seen lurking about an abandoned building nearby.
Police barricaded a premises on Barkly St in Footscray, in Melbourne’s west, after a man was reportedly seen with a knife and gun about 2.15pm on Friday.
Officers tried to talk with a 44-year-old man for 90 minutes.
“Officers attended and attempted to negotiate with the man, who allegedly became aggressive,” Victoria Police said on Saturday.
“It is alleged the man shot ball bearings towards police, causing damage to windows. There were no physical injuries.
“After negotiations failed, police subsequently tasered the man and arrested him about 3.45pm.”
Footscray High School was locked down as a precaution while police tried to talk with the man.
Police found edged weapons, a slingshot and imitation firearms at the scene.
He’s been charged with 14 offences including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, possession of prohibited weapon, four counts of possession of imitation firearm and assault police.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Witnesses told 7News they were “really scared” as they watched the incident unfold from their homes across the street.
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