Police believe a man fatally shot in Naenae, Lower Hutt yesterday and the gunman are known to each other.
Police received reports a person had been shot outside a house on Seddon St around 3.15pm yesterday, Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel told reporters in a media standup today.
Nearby officers arrived at the scene “very quickly”, where they found a man “injured, lying on the road”, he said.
“The officers immediately applied first aid on this man but sadly, his injury was fatal, and he died at the scene.
“It is apparent the victim’s injuries has been caused by a gunshot.”
Van Den Heuvel said the victim was a 39-year-old man from Wainuiomata.
However, police are unable to publicly name him until his family and next of kin have been advised.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with family and friends at this most difficult time of their loss.”
The victim is expected to be formally named by police in “the next day or so”.
Cordons on Seddon St were in place until 11.30pm yesterday when the body was taken away and the scene was blessed by local iwi, he said.
It’s believed both parties had gang affiliations, police said.
‘Verbal altercation’
Witnesses told police there was a “brief verbal altercation” between the victim and another man prior to the shooting.
The suspect then fled the scene in a black 2008 Mercedes-Benz Saloon with “associates” before police arrived.
The vehicle, with registration number KRP453, was recovered by police last night at a property on Judd Crt in Naenae.
The suspect was described as being aged around 30, with a large build and full facial tattoos. He was wearing dark clothing.
Van Den Heuvel said while he “should not be approached, police do not believe there is any ongoing risk to the wider public”.
While the investigation is still in the early stages, police have been “following some good lines of inquiry”.
“We believe those involved had gang affiliations and are known to each other,” he said.
“We believe this is an isolated event between two parties known to one another.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, live nearby with street-facing CCTV, or knows the suspect involved have been urged to contact police.
