Case 2: Featured Case - Invercargill Drive-by Shootings

A recent increase in gang tensions in Invercargill has resulted in two drive-by shootings this year. The first on Monday, 31 January on Centre Street and the second Friday, 3 June on Elizabeth Street, both at about 1am.

Detectives have linked the two shootings by the car and firearm used, and now need you to tell us who was involved. Police have identified and recovered what they believe to be the vehicle in volved in both shootings, a dark-coloured Toyota Sienta which is quite distinctive with its boxy-shape and high taillights.

Police are appealing for sightings of a dark-coloured Toyota Sienta on 31 January and 3 June as well as information on, who may have been in or had access to the vehicle.

Shell casings and pellets from the Elizabeth Street shooting confirm that a .308 rifle and a shotgun were used at that location. Police believe the same high-powered rifle was used at the Centre Street shooting.

Police are appealing for any information that can lead them to the location of the firearms, a .308 calibre rifle and a shotgun, tell them who owns them and also who used them on the days of the shootings.

At the Centre Street shooting nine shots were fired at a house full of people injuring two teenagers. One has survived a serious head injury and the second is recovering from a serious leg injury.

The Elizabeth Street shooting saw twelve shots fired into the home of an older person who was asleep at the time. This person has no gang affiliations. Police have established that this was a case of mistaken identity and this person was lucky not to be injured.

Police are aware that the Mongrel Mob are involved in increasing gang tensions and a vehicle with Mongrel Mob members was pulled over near the scene of one of the shootings.

Blindly firing into a house could result in the death of someone. We need these shootings to stop and those involved in the incidents caught. If you have any information to help this this investigation, please get in touch.