Standoff started with man’s threat to shoot
Warning police he was going to shoot them, a 21-year-old held a rifle in both hands with a finger near the trigger.
Minutes before, officers had arrived at a Bedford St, New Plymouth, address about 4.30pm on September 25 to speak with a man about a bail breach.
While police were talking to him, associate Piri Ataahua Urwin placed a knife on the kitchen table and made his first threat.
‘‘You’re all going to get shot,’’ he told them before leaving the room.
Urwin returned soon after holding the rifle and repeated: ‘‘You’re all going to get shot,’’ the New Plymouth District Court was told yesterday.
Police left the address but armed officers quickly cordoned off the no-exit street.
A dog handler, the Taranaki Armed Offender Squad, and a negotiation team were called in.
Residents were not allowed access to their homes and were told to wait outside the cordon.
At one point Urwin came outside and took photos of police.
He was told he was under arrest but yelled ‘‘sorry, I can’t hear you’’ and ran back inside.
During the lengthy stand-off, Urwin was seen in the kitchen window with a large butcher’s knife.
He stared at police and made cutting and stabbing motions at himself, a police summary of facts stated.
About 6.30pm the incident came to an end, with Urwin surrendering. He was taken into custody along with another man from the house.
In court yesterday, Urwin pleaded guilty to presenting a firearm, threatening to kill/do grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
Defence lawyer Julian Hannam advised Judge Sharyn Denise Otene there were ‘‘some background issues’’ which could be dealt with by way of a probation report.
Hannam also suggested a restorative justice conference between Urwin and the police officers involved could be helpful.
Urwin was remanded and ordered to return to court for sentencing on January 24.