Victim bashed in the face with gun

A man kidnapped after shots were fired at his house managed to escape, but not before he was bashed in the face with a gun.

Police are looking for at least one person after the incident near Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury on Monday night.

It was understood the offender or offenders kidnapped the homeowner, assaulted him and stole his car – a silver 2017 Nissan X-Trail.

Police said the man, in his 50s, received a ‘‘moderate head injury’’. It is understood he was hit in the face with a pistol and required stitches.

The victim escaped the scene, but police are still looking for his vehicle.

Canterbury rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper had advised the public not to approach those people in the car if they came across the offender or offenders.

It was understood the offenders were targeting someone else – and went to the wrong address.

Cooper said ‘‘several’’ shots was fired at the house, which was near Amuri Jet Hanmer Springs. ‘‘While there were a number of people (adults and children) at the house at the time, fortunately nobody was injured by the shots fired.’’

Armed police rushed to the incident on Hanmer Springs Rd, near State Highway 7, at 9.30pm on Monday. About 10 police cars and members of the armed offenders squad (AOS) were seen heading north from Christchurch.

‘‘The assault victim and his family are being supported by police and Victim Support. We have not found all the parties involved,’’ Cooper said.

Police cordoned off the property and were carrying out a scene examination yesterday. The AOS did an extensive search of the area on Monday night but did not find the offender, police said at the time.