Gunman was 'much loved' and will be missed, family says

Damage to one of the houses struck by Mr Sime's bullets. Photo / Supplied

The paraplegic gunman shot dead by police on Sunday night was a much loved son, brother and father, who will be dearly missed his family said today.

Shayne Sime, 42, was killed after firing more than 100 ammunition rounds from his home, wounding a member of the Armed Offenders Squad and a neighbour.

The injured pair both required hospital treatment but have since been discharged.

A family friend Ann Hicks this afternoon read a statement to media on behalf of Mr Sime's family.

The family described Mr Sime as a much loved son, brother and loving dad of two sons and a good person.

"We loved him and will miss him."

"We do wish to recognise and apologise to other people who were hurt and everyone else affected in the last few days."

Mr Sime had suffered head trauma in an accident when he was 24-years-old and developed a spinal disorder, which over time wasted his muscles to the point of him being confined to a wheelchair.

"However, his cheeky sense of humour was instrumental in giving him the strength to overcome that adversity."

Before his accident, Mr Sime was a fisherman and loved his work and was involved in karate and had almost achieved a black belt.

After his accident he continued to work out at a gym where he could, particularly at Christchurch's Burwood Hospital.

"Shayne and his mother were in regular contact by text most days and very regular visits. Shayne's mother last saw him Friday of last week.

"The family just know they loved him and they will miss him dearly."

Detective Superintendent Brett Kane said police had found two shotguns and a rifle inside Mr Sime's home and a scene examination there was continuing.

Police now know that Mr Sime was drinking alcohol with a friend about 5pm on Sunday. This is about the time the first shot was heard from Mr Sime's home.

But Mr Kane said it was not clear if the friend was still at the house when the first shot was fired.

Mr Sime had been texting a relative during Sunday evening as the incident escalated.

Street damage

Mr Sime's firing spree damaged houses around the cul-de-sac he lived in, Wadhurst Place, and police revealed today that bullets struck houses and a kindergarten in nearby streets.

"We are still asking people to check their properties for any damage," said Detective Superintendent Brett Kane.

An examination of Mr Sime's house has begun as the search of the area outside his home is completed.

Other properties are being searched as reports of damage come in.

Wadhurst Place was evacuated during the siege and is still closed today, however some residents have been allowed in under police supervision to retrieve essential items. Surrounding streets are also cordoned off.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Sime's body is being completed today.

A spokesperson for Mr Sime's family is expected to speak to media this afternoon.

The shooting comes after Napier gunman Jan Molenaar shot three police officers, killing one, and a civilian last month.

The police officers' union says it is fortunate the AOS could be called on to confront Sime, but it is now time for a serious debate about whether police patrolling the streets should be armed.

"It's time that we didn't steadfastly say 'absolutely not', which is what we are hearing currently, unfortunately, from the [Police] Commissioner," said Police Association president Greg O'Connor.

"Surely it's time we started to understand just how dangerous an environment we are working in here."

Sime was known to police and believed to be in a suicidal state. He had been a licensed firearms holder since 2006. Police said he was a paraplegic who also suffered from a head injury, while some who knew him say he had muscular dystrophy.

Gun club shocked

The shootings have come as a shock to the New Zealand Handloaders Association gun club, where Sime had been a member for about six months.

"I don't think anyone I am aware of at the club would have predicted anything like this," said club secretary Graeme Barber. "There would be nothing that I saw of him that would indicate anything like this. He was just like anyone else - he liked guns and talked about it."

Police were called to Sime's house in February after a neighbour reported hearing shots. Sime was found to be firing his son's BB gun at a cardboard box and was not charged.

Mr Barber said Sime would come out to the club on Tuesday evenings to fire shotguns at clay targets. He was "affable and friendly and pleasant".

"He enjoyed his shooting. He was safe with firearms but he also needed a little bit of help to use them because of his disability. But he was never unsafe or irresponsible."

Some have branded Sime a loner, but Mr Barber said: "He was never a problem. He would socialise with people, talk to people."

Sime had also been a member of Parafed Canterbury, which provides sport and recreation for disabled people, for some time and regularly used the specialised gymnasium.

Mr Kane said a shot was first fired by Sime in the cul-de-sac of Wadhurst Place, in the Christchurch suburb of Burnside, about 5pm on Sunday but this was not reported.

Resident Deborah Scott lives a couple of houses away from Sime and said the firing started more like 4.30pm. "We thought it was kids banging a tin fence."

She, her son and others went to see where it was coming from but couldn't see anyone who could have been making the noise. "We weren't told of anything until 9pm when our neighbour alerted us to the situation."

Police were called about 8pm and the area was cordoned off at 8.20pm. About 40 residents were evacuated.

Officers negotiated with Sime for two hours, during which time he fired indiscriminately.

"Shots were fired from the front and rear of the property, and Mr Sime showed some agility," Mr Kane said.

It is understood Sime had contacted his family, saying he was suicidal, and also made threats to police. Alcohol may have been involved.

Sime's 39-year-old neighbour was standing near his front door when "peppered with [shotgun] pellets from his shoulders through to his groin". He escaped over a rear fence.

It is understood Sime lived alone, but had a child living in Australia.