Francina Pruis, manager of Bethania Retirement Court in Logan City, Brisbane, said she heard “10 gun shots” in the complex before she called emergency services.
“But the police were already on the scene it all happened so quickly,” she said.
A 48-year-old male had called police late on 25 May threatening suicide and saying he had a hostage.
After negotiations between the man and two police officers, the man allegedly opened the front door and walked outside towards the officers, threatening them with the gun. He was shot in the leg and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman was not physically injured.
Ms Prius said the man’s actions were “completely out of character”. The firearm was a replica.
