Gunman on the run
Manawatustandard.co.nz A gunman remains on the loose in Palmerston North.
Police are hunting for the man accused of shooting another in the stomach in the city.
Armed police surrounded a property in Ronberg St, in the suburb of Highbury, on Tuesday evening after receiving reports a shot had been fired.
Residents said seeing armed police swarming their street was a terrifying experience.
Detective Sergeant Grayson Joines, from Palmerston North CIB, said a 28-year-old man was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with what was believed to be three gunshot wounds to the stomach.
The man has since undergone surgery and his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Hospital spokesman Dennis Geddis said the shot man was in a stable condition in a general ward on Wednesday morning.
Yesterday, police were still looking for the man believed to have pulled the trigger.
Joines said police didn’t believe there was any immediate risk to the public.
The parties involved in the shooting were known to each other, he said.
One Ronberg St resident, who did not want to be named, said it was terrifying opening her door to see people with guns.
‘‘I came out and I thought ‘what the hell?’’’
Police had cordoned off Ronberg St and she was told to go back inside, but the resident said she needed to check on her elderly neighbour, who was also scared.
‘‘It was terrifying. I’m still quite shaken, actually.’’
Until recently, there had been few problems at Ronberg St, she said.
‘‘It’s been quiet up until about eight weeks ago.’’
She wanted police to hold a public meeting to inform residents about what they were doing to stop these incidents from happening. ‘‘I’ve had enough of it. ‘‘We’re just over escalated. It is so bad.’’
Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said she heard a loud bang on Tuesday evening, but thought a car had backfired.
She only saw the flashing lights and cordoned street when opening the door to say goodbye to her visitors, she said.
Apart from boy racers speeding it. It’s down the street, the area was usually quiet, she said.
‘‘This is a street with children.’’
Children were present at the time of the shooting and a touch team were concerned about the way police acted towards them.
Corey Governor said his touch team was practising on Monrad Park, next to Ronberg St, on Tuesday night when the armed offenders squad swarmed the field.
‘‘They pointed guns at our kids’ heads.’’
He thought police could have dealt with the situation better.
Detective Sergeant Tim Moffatt said he could understand their concerns, but the AOS members’ attention was on a man standing in front of the team, who was wanted for assault.
He said the team were close to where the shooting happened, so when armed police came around the corner and saw the man, they instructed him to get on the ground.
Moffatt said he spoke to some of the team after the incident to explain what had happened.
‘‘I thanked them for their cooperation.’’
Police have spoken to witnesses, but were continuing to appeal for information to help with their investigation.
Cordons were in place from 5.15pm on Tuesday as the incident unfolded, but were later lifted.
Another person at the scene was arrested in an unrelated matter.
Anyone with information can contact police on 06 351 3896 or give information anonymously via the Crimestoppers line, 0800 555 111.