A person was critically injured in an apparent shooting in central Palmerston North overnight, after police were called to reports of a fight near a hotel.
Officers were called to Rangitikei St at about 11.30pm, where they found one person “with an injury consistent with a gunshot wound”.
The incident happened outside the Royal Hotel, with one person allegedly pulling out a machete, Manawatu Standard reported, citing an eyewitness at the scene.
Palmerston North has had multiple gun incidents in the past several weeks.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said initial inquiries revealed the “incident quickly escalated to the use of weapons, and one individual using a firearm, following an initial dispute between two groups”.
The person shot was taken to hospital in a critical condition last night, where they remain in a stable condition.
A spokepserson said: “Subsequent inquiries led to members of the armed offender squad deploying to an address in Selwyn Court, in the early hours of this morning.
“At that address, a vehicle of interest was located and seized.
“Police believe there were two people involved in this incident and have positive lines of inquiry on their identity.
“Today, police have completed a scene examination of the Selwyn Court address and are continuing to examine the vehicle seized. Police believe this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the wider community.”
Thompson said: “The fact that someone has escalated this alteration to the use of a firearm is hugely concerning, it could have had a far more serious outcome.”
He also addressed recent firearms incidents in the region. Shots were fired at police officers on Sunday, while a home was shot at in broad daylight earlier this month.
“While previous incidents are believed to have been linked, last night’s assault is not related and is believed to have been a one-off non-gang related incident.
“We know the increased risk and concern that violent offenders, especially those who use firearms, cause in the community.”
The senior sergeant said police would continue to carry out “proactive patrols across central Palmerston North and areas of high demand, providing reassurance to the community”.
Police are urging anyone who was on Rangitikei St, including anyone inside the hotel and witnessed any activity or altercations to contact 105.
