A Channel Seven news cameraman was on his way to cover a story of a woman who had been assaulted in her home when the man who is suspected of committing the attack stopped the news vehicle on the roadside and stole it at gunpoint, Australian media reported.



The cameraman, Peter Steer, got out of the car and talked to the gunman who local media have identified as Jordy Brooks.



"I just hope that she's all right, I think she's dead," the 45-year-old gunman said.



After speaking with the cameraman near the town of Eumundi, the gunman initially wanted to hand the cameraman his gun and tell him what happened. But he changed his mind and got into the news vehicle, pointed the weapon at Steer and stole the car, Australian media reported.



"I wanted to get that shot of him with the gun but I didn't want to get shot, you know," said Steer.



After picking up the cameraman, police surrounded the gunman at a nearby petrol station where he had crashed.



Brooks has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with an intent to commit an indictable robbery, car theft, robbery while armed and willful damage, Australian media reported.

Reuters