Six people have been injured when shots were fired in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes.
An RNZ reporter at the scene said police had put up a tent at the cordoned-off property and officers were wearing protective forensic clothing. Photo: RNZ
Police say people approached a property in Heatherbank St shortly before 3am and fired a number of rounds.
Five injured people are hospitalised at Auckland City Hospital. Two of whom were seriously injured and will undergo surgery over the coming days, and three others are receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries. Another suffered minor injuries.
Police said they were speaking to people at the house, which was under guard.
No arrests have been made at this stage in relation to the firearms incident but police arrested a 21-year-old nearby after he fled the property where the incident occured.
Police say he has been with charged with possession for supply of cannabis.
He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court later this month.
But police said they were still trying to work out if the two incidents were connected and what led to the shooting.
They reminded everyone that speculation about what occurred was not helpful, but reassured teh community there would be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
Gunshots heard by neighbours
The gunshots formed an early morning wake-up call for residents nearby, including Asania.
"I heard a couple of gunshots and then they just sped away in their car," she said.
"Then you heard somebody screaming and come out swearing," another resident Phyllis Pomare said.
"It was like 'hmmm, I hope someone called the cops'."
This morning, one house was cordoned off, guarded by armed police officers as children rode their bikes in a driveway nearby.
Detectives in protective forensic clothing have been carrying out a scene examination.
Neighbours told RNZ they were in shock - describing the occupants of the house in question as a "lovely family".
Stephanie Pomare, who had grown up on the street, said the family had always been there.
"Staying across the road from someone for so many years, you get to know them. But when I woke up this morning and saw the cops I was like, wow, what happened?" she said.
"It's really strange. The boy that's there is my age, and we were raised together. It's kind of a shock to me."
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward councillor Josephine Bartley said the shooting was not gang-related, but it did point to alcohol and drug issues rearing their head in the community.
She said residents had good reason to feel a bit anxious about what happened.
"I think that it's a good idea for our residents to lay low and keep safe around there. I've texted my cousins that live on the street," she said.
Phyllis Pomare said she was not sticking around.
She said she would be moving to a friend's place nearby until it all settled down.
"I'm a bit shaken, when you see all the cops out and know that people actually got hurt," she said.
Police said there would be people who knew those involved in the shooting and urged them to come forward.
People with information or who witnessed any suspicious activity can call police 105, quoting the file number 220324/7219, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
