Attribute to Northland District Commander Superintendent Russell Le Prou:
At approximately 10.50am this morning Police were called to an address on Mt Tiger Road, outside of Whangarei after reports of a shooting.
Police and AOS responded immediately and on arrival located two women deceased at the property.
We believe the two women are related.
A man had also been shot and was taken to Whangarei Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
The identity of the shooter is known to police. We believed he was inside the property and specialist Police staff attempted to negotiate with him during the course of the afternoon. There was no response.
Police used tear gas at the address and the offender fired several shots at staff. Police fired a number of shots in return. The house caught fire soon after this, and was fully engulfed. The status of the offender is currently unknown, however we believe it is very unlikely that he has survived. While Police and the fire service are at the property, they will not enter the house until it is safe to do so.
Cordons remain in place at the intersections of Mount Tiger Rd/Whareora Rd, and at Mount Tiger Rd/Whangarei Heads Road.
We still have a number of enquiries to make to begin to understand the tragedy that has unfolded today. However our initial enquiries have found the two women and the man had gone to the address to carry out a property inspection when the offender has opened fire on them.
Police will do everything we can to support the victim’s families.
Our community will be understandably shocked by today’s events but Northland is a tight-knit community and will stand together to support one another.
A welfare centre has been setup at Whareora Hall on Whareora Road, Whangarei to support residents who live within the cordoned area. There will be information and support available to them.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has also been notified.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police