A MAN who allegedly forced police to lock down a central Southport area on the Gold Coast for nearly nine hours has been charged with offences including attempted murder.

Other charges for the 36-year-old, who peacefully surrendered just before 11am, include deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm and unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Earlier it was reported the siege that disrupted the Gold Coast this morning was over after police walked a gunman out of an apartment building in handcuffs.

The man has now been taken into custody. Police confirmed he surrendered to them without incident a short time ago, ending nine hour stand-off.

Police had surrounded the apartment building in White St and called specialist negotiators in to speak with the man.

They tracked the man to the Southport unit after earlier responding to shot being fired into a vehicle in nearby Ann St at 11.25 last night.

They declared an emergency situation at 2.10am.

A police spokesman told news.com.au a second shot was then fired, but not at police. “They were more of a warning. To let us know he has a firearm.”

media_camera A man is taken into custody after the siege at Southport. Pic: Ric Frearson

media_camera Families evacuated from the exclusion zone during the siege at Southport. Pic Ric Frearson

media_camera Specialist negotiators have been called to the White St apartment complex. Picture: Ben Sandler

media_camera The gunman fired a warning shot. Picture: Ben Sandler

media_camera Residents have been evacuated and others have been told not to leave their homes. Picture: Ben Sandler

media_camera Police say they want to resolve the situation “peacefully”. Picture: Ben Sandler

Inspector Bruce Kuhn said the man was suffering from “a number of personal issues” and was in a confused state of mind.

He didn’t appear to be drug or alcohol affected.

Throughout the ordeal he had made threats to “himself, the property and to police”, Insp Kuhn said.

A firearm that had recently been discharged was found in the apartment. The man would face a number of charges.

The incident began in Ann St last night before a second shot outside the apartment building.

“From that time, a male person has been located in the block of units here … negotiators are in contact with him.”

Police were unsure throughout the morning if he had anyone else with him but now believe he was alone.

The situation was taken seriously because of the threat to public safety.

“He’s in a house that has a kitchen and we all know that just about any utensil in a kitchen can be used as a weapon,” Insp Kuhn said.

Police had blocked off areas around White St and residents and people moving throughout the area were asked to be patient and avoid the scene if they can for their own safety.

The major police response was due to the fact he had already fired shots.

“So that’s why we’re taking all precautions necessary to make sure of the safety of (the public).”

Residents in the apartment complex have been evacuated for their own safety.

media_camera Police have surrounded a White St, Gold Coast, unit where a man has fired at least two shots.

Dylan Hiles, 25, had been waiting with his partner since 5.30am for his family to be allowed to leave their White St unit on the property next door to where the armed man is located.

“They’d all been stuck up there in a little single-bedroom unit together,” Mr Hiles said.

“There’s six kids and four adults all crammed in there together.

“They’re from Toowoomba, so they were really looking forward to going to the beach.”

The group were released with a police escort walking them up the street just before 10am.

Mr Hiles’ mother Tootie Hiles said each of the children were allowed to take one present with them when they were evacuated.

She said police had been communicating with them over their balcony during the ordeal.

The police spokesman said the warning would remain in place until the siege was over — potentially disrupting the Christmas plans of many families.

“While we understand people in the area will want to leave for Christmas celebrations please remain inside until further notice,” he said.

“It is an ongoing negotiation at this stage. Our hope is to resolve it peacefully.”

Officers would be there “for the long haul”, he said.

media_camera Christmas plans for many Gold Coast residents have been thrown into chaos. Picture: Ben Sandler

media_camera Police were called to the address just before midnight last night. Picture: Ben Sandler

media_camera A man in a Southport unit block has been firing shots leading to road closures and evacuations. Photo Ric Frearson

Armoured police vehicles with flashing lights can be seen on the street.

Police don’t know what caused the incident and are investigating their previous dealings with the man.

Trams between the Southport and Surfers Paradise North stations have been suspended.

Traffic was being diverted away from the area.

More soon

+ Do you know more? Email andrew.koubaridis@news.com.au with photos, videos.

It's Christmas morning and I'm at a siege in Southport pic.twitter.com/QsrShwdSGG — cosmic jester (@cosmicjester) December 24, 2014

UPDATE: Specialist police on scene at an address in Southport. Officers are working to resolve the situation #9News pic.twitter.com/VgYDjWGclk — Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) December 24, 2014

#Breaking Police believe man in Southport unit siege is armed with a shotgun, no hostages reported @NewsTalk4BC — Johanna Marie (@JohannaMarie_) December 24, 2014

DEVELOPING: An armed man is inside the property in Southport. He has fired shots. Negotiators on scene, working to resolve. #9NEWS — Sean Power (@seanpower9) December 24, 2014

Originally published as Man charged over Gold Coast siege