'Hoping he didn't shoot me': Armed fugitive surprises home owner with pump action shotgun in hand
A man has told of his terrifying personal encounter with an armed fugitive in Queensland.
Matt Root from Brisbane says Ben Goring held a gun to his head after he came home to discover the allegedly dangerous fugitive wearing his clothes and drinking his beer in his home.
“I was really just hoping he didn’t shoot me,” Mr Root said.
His encounter with Goring came just minutes before police arrested the fugitive in dramatic scenes on the Gold Coast.
According to Mr Root, he knew police were looking for someone in the area but had no idea their suspect was hiding in his home.
Officers had escorted Mr Root to his door before he encountered Goring, and his weapon, inside.
The gunman wanted to stay the night at his home but Mr Root’s refusal led him to point a pump action shotgun at him before ordering him into a car.
That is when police swooped as 7 News cameras were rolling.
Armed officers dragged Goring from the vehicle after Mr Root alerted them to the armed man.
“I opened the boot and popped straight out and ran to the back of the car, and pointed the cop and said, ‘He’s got a gun’,” Mr Root said.
Ben Andrew Goring was arrested and charged with more than 30 offences, including attempted murder.
Police say he had been on a dangerous rampage since Thursday morning, firing shots at cars on the M1 and stealing vehicles at gunpoint.
The 24-year old faced court on Monday.
Goring said nothing as he sat in the dock, appearing gaunt and fidgety. He will remain behind bars as police search for two offenders.
Mr Root said he hopes they do not come his way, having just moved to the Numinbah Valley 10 days ago for peace and quiet.
“It's just something that goes on, it’s finished. It’s over,” he said.
“It’s something to tell the grandkids about.”
