Teenager charged with murder after shooting

A 19-year-old Maketu man has been charged with murder after the shooting of a 46-year-old man.

The charge follows the discovery of a 46-year-old Maketu man's body in a park at Beach Rd, Maketu in the early hours of this morning, following an apparent shooting.

The man's body was discovered and reported to police at approximately 1.45am by two people who had heard that there had been an incident at the park.

Upon police arrival a vehicle containing a number of people, including the murder accused, was stopped in Beach Rd.

Enquiries suggest that the dead man and the accused were known to one another and were at the same social gathering at a Maketu address earlier in the evening.

A firearm has since been recovered from a local address.

A scene and vehicle examination is underway with police and ESR along with an area canvass and other police enquiries. A post mortem will be carried out tomorrow.

Police are still keen to hear from anyone with information about this death.

They particularly want to hear from anyone who heard any gunshots who may be able to assist police with the exact time the incident occurred.

The 19-year-old man will appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.