Gang gunfire shatters day at park
Police say it’s ‘sheer luck’ no one hurt in shooting near Rotorua public area teeming with weekend shoppers
Gangs who fired shots near a busy Rotorua park posed a “real and significant risk” to the public, say police. They said the park teemed with shoppers at the time and it was only through sheer luck that an innocent member of the public wasn’t hurt.
The shooting happened about 10am on Saturday at Kuirau Park, near the CBD and the popular Rotary Charity Market.
Police said reports from the public were that there was an incident between members of rival gangs, and that shots had been fired.
“This happened near a children’s playground in the middle of the Saturday morning market, while the area was teeming with shoppers.”
A short time later officers found a vehicle with “damage consistent with a shot being fired at it”, a police statement said. “An examination of the scene confirmed . . . a firearm had been involved.”
A 27-year-old man arrested after a Western Heights property was searched will appear in the Rotorua District Court today. He faces firearm and disorder charges.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Wilson of the Bay of Plenty police said there had been a “real and significant risk to innocent members of the public going about their business with their families on a sunny Saturday morning”.
“I am aware that there were many people present when this incident occurred who may be able to help this investigation,” Wilson said.
“If you witnessed this incident I urge you to come forward and make contact with the Rotorua police.
“Police are also keen to obtain any mobile phone footage that may have been captured by witnesses.
“It is only through sheer luck that no one was hurt, and police are determined to identify all those involved and hold them to account for their actions.”
Rotorua Lakes Council sport and recreation portfolio leader Charles Sturt said he was almost speechless after he heard the news.
“It’s not what we want to see happening in Rotorua. Kuirau Park has undergone a major overhaul, with more plans for the Aquatic Centre, so we can create a familyfriendly place.
“These gang members are skating on thin ice,” he said.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the incident was concerning but was not isolated to Rotorua.
“I think it demonstrates the sig- nificant harm the gangs do to communities throughout New Zealand.
“The police did a very good job keeping on top of them but ultimately the gangs are criminal organisations.”