An armed gunman remains at large in Rarotonga following the fatal shooting of two people yesterday.
A photo released by the Cook Islands Police Service, which is looking for Chris Rimamotu of Titikaveka. Photo: Cook Islands Police Service / Facebook
Police say searches for escaped prisoner Christopher Rimamotu have concentrated in the Vaima'anga area where the shooting happened - he's described as very dangerous and people have been warned not to approach him
Police say the shooter is still in possession of the stolen silver double cab ute registration 6681 and was wearing a pinkish coloured tee-shirt and blue overalls when he was last seen.
Road blocks have been set up at either end of Vaima'anga
Detective Inspector Aka Matapo says police will also be going house to house in the area and people should try to keep their homes locked at all times
A new team of police officers will be debriefed this morning and will continue searching for Rimamotu
Detective Inspector Matapo could not confirm whether New Zealand Police have been requested to help apprehend Rimamotu who was serving a seven year sentence for the abduction and sexual assault of a six year-old girl.
Our correspondent said the family of the girl are reported to have gone into hiding last night.
She also said one of the victims shot was reportedly Rimamotu's ex-partner.
Police last night had received continuous calls of sightings of Rimamotu in the town and airport areas.
Rimamotu escaped while on a day release for a community work scheme.
