Shots save pregnant woman

Officers lauded for their bravery

TWO officers who Tasered and shot a knife-wielding Porirua man during a domestic dispute probably saved his pregnant partner’s life, police say.

The 47-year-old man is alleged to have attacked his first victim, a 49-year-old woman, with a hammer – breaking her arm and injuring her shoulder and elbow – before taking a knife to the throat of a 39-year-old woman.

Police have not named those in- volved, but it is understood the women were Johanna Warahi Wallace and her younger sister Wanita Warahi, who is believed to be the man’s partner.

The two officers were called to the incident in Penguin Grove, Waitangirua, shortly after 5.30am yesterday, and were met on the lawn by a ‘‘distressed’’ Ms Wallace, who had injuries to her upper arm.

Realising the severity of the situation, the pair armed themselves from the lockbox in their patrol car – one with a Taser and the other with a Glock pistol – before entering the house.

They heard an altercation in a back bedroom and forced their way in to find the man on top of Ms Warahi. It appeared he had already stabbed her in the neck.

Believing there was an imminent threat to her life, each fired their weapons about the same time. A bullet from the pistol hit the man in the shoulder, KapitiMana area commander Detective Inspector Paul Basham said.

The officers made a ‘‘nanosecond’’ decision that they needed to take decisive action, because of the level of threat to the younger woman, he said.

The man was subdued after be- ing shot, and three ambulances took the patients to Wellington Hospital.

Ms Warahi, who is understood to be five months’ pregnant, suffered a partially cut throat. She was discharged from hospital last night. It was not clear what effect the trauma may have had on her pregnancy.

Ms Wallace and the shot man were both in a stable condition in hospital last night. The man was under police guard.

Mr Basham yesterday heaped praise on the two officers, saying their actions probably saved Ms Warahi’s life.

‘‘It was a challenging situation the officers found themselves in. They acted with professionalism and a huge dollop of bravery.

‘‘Their actions will come under the appropriate scrutiny, but it’s my belief their actions were justified and proportionate.’’

The officer who fired the gun has been temporarily stood down from frontline duties, which was standard procedure, and would receive psychological support, he said.

Two investigations into the firing of the gun have begun – one by police and another by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard practice in police shootings. A criminal investigation is also under way into the attacks on the two women.