Police investigating a shooting which left three people in hospital in Mangere overnight want to speak to anyone who was at the Yates Road gathering.
Police were initally called to the scene at around 4.30am to reports of people fighting and that a person had been shot .
Enquiries have established that no fighting occurred. Police believe a group of around forty people were gathered and were drinking in the Yates Road Reserve. A person has entered the reserve armed with a gun, fired three shots at the group and then fled.
A 22 year-old man was taken to Middlemore Hospital with gunshot wounds to his legs and abdomen. He has now been transferred to Auckland Hospital and whilst his injuries are serious, they are not thought to be life-threatening.
A 16 year-old male was also taken to Middlemore Hospital, with gunshot wounds to his legs. He remains in Middlemore Hospital with moderate injuries.
A 24 year-old man presented himself to Middlemore Hospital with gunshot wounds to his legs. He is also in Middlemore Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police are making a large number of enquiries and are going door to door in the Yates Road area this morning.
At this point in time though, very few of the people who were gathered in the reserve have spoken to Police.
“This is a very serious incident, we have a person who has fired off a gun into a crowd of people. We need to speak to anyone who was there about what they heard and saw, even if it’s anonymously through the Crimestoppers line (0800 555 111)” says Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan, Counties Manukau Police.
Anyone with information is asked to either send a private message to the Counties Manukau Police Facebook page or call the station on 09 2611 300.
Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Media: Det Snr Sgt Kevin Tiernan will hold a standup at the scene today at 2.30pm. This will be the only opportunity for interview today.
Beth Bates/NZ Police