Christchurch armed incident: Man in court on violence, weapons and drug charges

Armed police and emergency services are at the scene of an incident in Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

An alleged offender who sparked a major armed police callout and manhunt across Christchurch yesterday has appeared in court on a range of violence, firearms and drugs charges.

Brandon Jarden, 23, was arrested last night after an alleged firearms incident in the suburb of Burnside.

Armed police swarmed on Highwood Lane off Roydvale Ave, and schools and businesses were told to lock down as they tried to located Jarden.

It is understood the call out stemmed from a domestic incident where a firearm was allegedly presented.

Police at the scene of the incident. Photo / George Heard

Just after 5.30pm last night police issued an appeal for Jarden saying he was "dangerous and should not be approached".

At 10.11pm Canterbury Metro Area Commander Inspector Lane Todd confirmed Jarden had been located, arrested and would be charged.

He appeared before Judge Quentin Hix in the Christchurch District Court this morning.

His charges include threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, presenting a firearm, assault on a person in a family relationship, possession of methamphetamine utensils and conspiring to deal methamphetamine.

Judge Hix remanded the alleged offender in custody until his next appearance on May 19.

Brandon Jarden appeared in court today, facing numerous charges.

Jarden appeared in the dock from custody this afternoon, with family members supporting him from the public gallery.

Police were called to the Highwood Lane house - a holiday rental - just before midday yesterday.

They cordoned off Roydvale Ave and no residents were allowed in.

Businesses, a school and early childhood centre were told not to let anyone in or out.

When emergency services arrived at the scene they could smell gas and donned breathing masks for safety.

Armed police and emergency services are at the scene of an incident in Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

A resident told the Herald they could hear a police negotiator trying to convince a person to leave the house.

"They had the negotiator about an hour ago saying come to your front door with your hands in the air and nothing in your hands," said one woman.

Police shouted: "Your house is surrounded by armed police".

"They had a drone up earlier but I can't see it anymore," she said.

The woman said it felt like "half the city's cops" were at the scene.

The alleged offender was not located at the scene and most police were stood down and left the area.

A woman who knows the accused and alleged victim posted on Facebook about the incident.

"He's honestly not dangerous, he's a good guy," she said.

"He had been staying in an AirBnB for some space away from [the alleged victim]."

She said the accused did not own a gun.