A gunman who fired multiple shots off a penthouse balcony live streamed the incident on Instagram.

In a series of clips he shows off an arsenal of imitation weapons, which includes a semi automatic rifle, while listening to Tupac, goading police and swearing repeatedly.

Footage of the incident was posted on social media

He then moves outside the flat and shoots a handgun several times into the air – footage filmed by neighbours and also widely circulated shows the terrifying scenes below.

Heavily armed officers who had descended on the scene near The Range on the far edge of Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre in Chatham stormed the apartment and took him away in handcuffs.

They remain at the scene and the man, in his 30s, is now in custody on suspicion of firearms offences. Four suspected imitation guns have been found.

St Mary's Island was shut off at the height of the drama as a helicopter hovered overhead.

The Medway Tunnel was also closed but has since reopened.

A neighbour who lives close to the mall said: "There was a lot of banging just over an hour ago, I just assumed it was construction workers.

"There was armed police outside The Range who waved everyone back, they moved towards the noise.

"Staff at The Range have been trying to catch everyone and get them into the shop.

"Someone across the way shouted about someone having a gun.

Armed police storm the block

"There's a police helicopter flying above."

KMTV reporter Phil Wellbrook is on the scene, he said: "There's police cars arriving every couple of minutes, there's currently two police cars and lots of patrol cars.

"The Co-Op is still open but there's lots of people in hi-vis keeping the area secure.

"There were two helicopters circling over head. Now police have pushed everyone away.

"Police are still on the scene, telling bystanders to get away, there's lots of confusion."

The scene from below

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