Second gun incident in city CBD
A man allegedly pointed a loaded gun at people in downtown Auckland at the weekend, less than two days after a gun was fired at the luxury Sofitel hotel.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Anderson of Auckland City CIB said the man fled on foot but was soon apprehended on Saturday morning. “At the time, a handgun allegedly used in the incident was also located by police,” Anderson said.
A man has appeared in Auckland District Court and was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm and with resisting police. He’s expected to reappear in court later this week.
The incident is not thought to be directly linked to gang tensions, but comes after shots were fired at the Sofitel on Thursday, sparking a police callout. The Herald understands members of the Head Hunters opened fire after encountering members of the Mongols in the Sofitel.
Detective Inspector John Sutton said that incident was linked to a shooting at the Head Hunters’ Mt Wellington gang pad.
A senior police source said concerns existed about an increase in gun crime. In December, a gun was fired at Calendar Girls strip club and a fight erupted and a firearm discharged at Dr Rudi’s bar in the Viaduct. It’s understood only some firearms incidents and drive-by shootings become public knowledge. This was because many gang conflicts were never reported to police, and police weren’t compelled to divulge details of every firearms incident to media.
The source said established gangs had in the past respected each other’s turf, partly as incidents like that at the Sofitel brought attention. The source said the profitability of methamphetamine, and influence of criminals from countries like Mexico formed context around gun violence concerns.