Town on alert after shooting
Police have arrested three men in Levin – one with a gunshot wound – who may be linked to shots fired during a gang-related incident in Foxton on Saturday night.
Part of a Foxton street remained closed on Sunday as police examined the house at the centre of an armed raid.
Police said no-one had been arrested during the armed offenders squad callout in the town, but two people were ‘‘fully co-operating’’ with inquiries into the incident.
Nearby residents were reluctant to speak about the frightening incident, but noted there were groups congregating around the house before the shots.
Detective Sergeant Dave Wishnowsky said police believed the incident could have been gangrelated.
‘‘We have a number of people to speak with before we can get a clearer picture of what has happened.’’
Police are also investigating whether the gunshots were linked to three men who were arrested in Levin, one of whom suffered a suspected gunshot wound.
About 4.30am, police used road spikes to stop a ute in rural Levin that was suspected of displaying false registration plates.
Three men were arrested and are in custody, and the vehicle is being examined.
One of the occupants was treated by paramedics for a suspected gunshot wound to one of his legs.
A decision on whether to lay charges is yet to be made.
Horowhenua district mayor Michael Feyen, who lives in Foxton, said the town did not have a gang problem.
‘‘Everyone gets on with their lives here.
‘‘If there is something going on it is not overt.
‘‘It will have happened among a small group that are not indicative of what happens here.’’
Several calls were received about 7.30pm on Saturday from people reporting shots being fired in the Main St and Johnston St areas of Foxton.
The armed offenders squad and dog units were called to help police clear properties in the town.
The focus was on a house in Cook St, where a scene guard was in place overnight, ahead of the property getting examined on Sunday.
While other cordons set up on Saturday night had been lifted, a section of Cook St remained closed to motorists, and some residents were kept out of their homes for up to two hours.