Police guard victims of mass shooting

A 21-year-old man has been arrested over a gang-related mass shooting in Whangarei that left five people seriously injured.

Police were yesterday standing guard at Whangarei Hospital following the shooting on Wednesday night.

They also have an increased presence in the suburb of Kamo, where the incident happened about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Inspector Justin Rogers said there did not appear to be any ongoing risk to members of the public.

He said the people involved in the incident had links to the Nomads and Black Power gangs.

‘‘We acknowledge that incidents like this are alarming to the community. However, we are confident that this was not a random incident.

‘‘We want members of the community to continue to go about their business.’’

With regards to the number of gang-related incidents in the area, Rogers said: ‘‘I don’t believe Whangarei is any different to anywhere else in New Zealand’’.

Residents of Clark Rd heard people ‘‘yelling and whimpering’’ around the time of the shooting, and neighbours said there had been a lot of commotion at the address.

They did not want to be named, for fear of backlash from the people who lived there, and said it was not the first time there had been an argument at the house.

One described it as ‘‘a bit of row’’ and said he heard car doors opening and shutting and cars taking off up the road.

Another said he heard ‘‘a guy yelling and whimpering’’.

A third said there was a banging noise and people were wandering up and down the street.

The residents said a ‘‘commotion’’ went on for several hours on Wednesday evening.

They didn’t hear tinguishable gun shots.

‘‘I thought maybe they were having a scrap,’’ said another resident.

Clark Rd is a quiet Kamo street, home to many older residents, and not far from local schools.

Residents have called police in the past, as people associated with any dis- the house have been ‘‘hooning’’ up and down the road.

One Clark Rd resident said there was frequently excessive noise from the rented property.

‘‘There are lots of comings and goings.’’

All five victims suffered serious gun-related injuries, and were taken to Whangarei Hospital on Wednesday evening.

Three men aged 21, 24 and 33 were admitted in a stable condition, while a 33 year-old man was expected to be discharged later yesterday.

The fifth person was flown to Auckland City Hospital and remains in a serious condition following surgery.

Rogers said there was no risk to the safety of other patients at the hospital. – Fairfax NZ