Officers were quick to cordon off roads in the CBD when the man, armed with two rifles, opened fire into the air at about 5.45pm.

Four city blocks around River, Wood, Gordon and MacAlister streets were in lockdown during the standoff.

Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the man was known to police and was allegedly suffering from a health issue.

“A number of shots were fired earlier in the day,” he said. “There’s no suggestion that he was intending to harm any person or anything like that.”

Insp Smith said it was possible the 48-year-old fired shots to draw police into the city.

Police liaised with the man’s parents, who were said to be shocked by their son’s actions, but they were aware of his health issues.

“They were more than helpful,” Insp Smith told The Courier-Mail.

“Obviously they were keen for a peaceful resolution, as we were, so we worked together.”

Insp Smith said the streets that had been cordoned off were quiet last night but it was business as usual in other areas, with restaurants still open.

A Mackay resident who was forced to leave a shop on Victoria St said he saw a man with a rifle in his hand and another on his back.

“He fired one shot into the air at the front as he was crossing from the strip joint,” the man said.

“He hung around the front of NightOwl for five minutes then made his way back down (the street). We have just been evacuated.”

No one was injured during the standoff.

A police spokesman said the man, who was later taken to hospital for assessment, had been pointing the firearm at himself.

WHAT WE KNOW

● The Mackay CBD was in lockdown after a 48-year-old man with a gun was reported in Victoria Street

● Police officers, some in bullet proof vests, gathered at the makeshift command post on the corner of Gregory St and Victoria St.

● An exclusion zone was declared as of 5.45pm between the boundary of River St and Wood St, Wood St and Gordon St, Gordon St to Macalister St and Macalister St to River St.

● The exclusion zone ended just before 8pm after the man handed himself in peacefully.

If you or someone close to you requires personal assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636

EARLIER 7.30PM: POLICE have started escorting people from Mackay’s CBD in small groups as negotiations with a 48-year-old armed man continue.

Officers are negotiating with the armed man on Gregory St and are speaking to his parents to glean a possible motive as the Mackay CBD remains in lockdown.

There have been no threats against any other person.

Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the man, who is known to police, is in possession of a number of long arms.

“A number of shots were fired earlier in the day,” he said.

Det Insp Smith said it is possible that was part of the man’s plan to draw police into the city.

“No other person is at risk,” he said.

“We ask the public not to come down to the CBD of Mackay.

“We ask people who are inside the buildings for their patience at this stage.

“We’ve got a number of resources on scene and some of those are negotiators.”

Det Insp Smith said police are fairly confident of a peaceful outcome.

An exclusion zone has been declared as of 5.45pm between the boundary of River St and Wood St, Wood St and Gordon St, Gordon St to Macalister St and Macalister St to River St.

A man who was evacuated from a shop on Victoria Street said he saw a man with a rifle in his hand and another on his back.

“He fired one shot into the air at the front as he was crossing from the strip joint,” he said.

“He hung around the front of night owl for five minutes then made his way back down to behind Gregory St.”

“We have just been evacuated from Haven (the gaming store).”

EARLIER 6.30PM: Mackay’s central business district has been locked down as police negotiate with an armed man.

Police declared an emergency situation, closing an area bounded by River, MacCallister, Gordon and Woods streets following reports of an armed man near a licensed premises on Gregory St.

Police negotiators were on scene.

A police spokesman said the man had been seen pointing the firearm at himself.

Members of the public inside the declared zone were advised to shelter in a secure place. Others were warned to avoid the area.

There were no reported injuries at this stage.

If you or someone close to you requires personal assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636