Source: Radio New Zealand
A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton. Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A man is in a critical condition after being shot by police in Hamilton.
About 10am, police swarmed a Hamilton street and closed off a hotel.
In Inspector Will Loughrin said police responded to reports of a vehicle driving “erratically” in Te Awamutu just before 9am.
Information suggested the driver was wanted by police in relation to other serious incidents.
When police caught up to the vehicle on Ulster Street in Hamilton, the man allegedly pointed a shotgun at police.
“Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.
“An officer then fired two shots at the offender.”
Medical assistance was given to the man immediately before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He was now in a moderate condition, Loughrin said, and his injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
“A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene,” Loughrin said.
“Thankfully, no police staff were injured in this incident.”
Loughrin said Ulster Street remains closed off from the Mill Street intersection and the public is urged to avoid the area.
“We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident.
“Police are conducting reassurance patrols around the area. The community can also expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days.”
Earlier, an RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers were going door-to-door speaking with people.
They declined to answer questions.
Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.
“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”
McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.
He said it wasn’t typical of the street.
“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.
Police were expected to speak to media on Wednesday afternoon.
Loughrin said a critical incident investigation was underway and the incident will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
