To be attributed to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan:
Hutt Valley Police have made significant progress in the investigation into the shooting of a 40-year-old Stokes Valley man on Sunday 3 August.
The man was shot outside his home address in Hanson Grove at 9am. He remains in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The investigation team has been assisted greatly by the Lower Hutt community, who have provided a number of CCTV images of the vehicle suspected to have been involved in this incident, travelling to and from Stokes Valley around the time of the shooting.
Police believe two men drove to the victim’s address in a purple Toyota Mark X station wagon, registration KMW290. On their arrival the male passenger exited the vehicle, and moments later shot the victim.
It is also alleged the victim was then driven over by the Toyota vehicle before the vehicle was driven out of the Stokes Valley area. The vehicle was located by Police a short time later and is currently being forensically examined.
A 25-year-old Taita man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is due to reappear in Lower Hutt District Court on Thursday, 14 August.
Police are making excellent progress on enquiries to identify and locate the second man in the vehicle - I am very confident we will identify him and hold him to account for his role in this incident.
To help us do that, we are still seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from members of the Lower Hutt community – specifically anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of the Toyota Mark X station wagon in the Stokes Valley, Naenae or Taita areas between 8.30am and 9.30am on Sunday 3 August.
CCTV footage that captures Toyota Mark X station wagon and its occupants will be a crucial part of ensuring those responsible for critically injuring the victim will be held to account for their actions.
If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote file number 250803/0624. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre