Man dies in suspected gangrelated shooting

WHANGANUI: Police are still hunting for the offenders involved in the fatal shooting in Castlecliff yesterday morning.

While the offenders remain at large, gang members from throughout the country are said to be headed to Whanganui.

Police launched a homicide investigation after a 27yearold man was shot in Puriri St about 9.40am.

Detective Inspector Ross McKay said the incident was not a random attack and the victim and offenders were known to each other and police.

‘‘We believe the parties involved have links or associations to gangs, but we are in the early stages of the investigation and are unable to comment further on this at this stage,’’ he said.

Stuff reported the man, a Mongrel Mob member, had died protecting children and other occupants when rival gang members turned up at his home.

Det Insp McKay declined to comment on reports that the shooting happened in front of the man’s two sons, aged 7 and 3. He said the number of offenders had not been confirmed, but there was more than one.

A gang affiliate told the Wanganui Chronicle that gang members from throughout the country were headed to Whanganui and local gang affiliates had been told to ‘‘get out of town’’.

‘‘There’s some real angry fellas on the way.’’

However, Det Insp McKay said police were not expecting a buildup of gang members and the Whanganui community had nothing to fear. — NZME