Two people were injured after the vehicle they were in was shot at on Valley Rd, Mangapapa. Photo / Google Maps
Two people were injured after the vehicle they were in was shot at on Valley Rd, Mangapapa. Photo / Google Maps
Four gang associates were remanded in custody after weekend shootings in Gisborne.
The accused face multiple charges, including recklessly discharging a firearm and wounding with intent.
Police praised public assistance and warned the violence could have resulted in fatalities.
Four people alleged to be gang associates are in custody after shootings in Gisborne left two members of the public in hospital with gunshot-related injuries.
Two of the accused appeared in the Gisborne District Court, while the other two appeared in the Youth Court.
Bail was opposed by police and declined for all four.
The charges follow two linked incidents on Saturday night.
Police allege shots were fired from a car at a house on Taruheru Crescent in Elgin about 11.45pm.
Soon after, the same vehicle passed another car on Valley Rd in Mangapapa, and a shot was allegedly fired at the driver’s door.
“The two young guys in their early 20s in that car were just minding their own business – two innocent members of the public who were not associated with the gangs in any way, a police spokesman said.
“They drove themselves to Gisborne Hospital for treatment. They were incredibly lucky.”
One of the men was seriously injured by glass fragments, he said.
Police later located the suspect vehicle on Lytton Rd.
Police spotted the vehicle involved in the shootings in the Elgin area, and it was eventually stopped near the Awapuni Rd-Lytton Rd corner.
The car allegedly failed to stop and fled through the Elgin area, before being pulled over near the intersection of Awapuni Rd and Lytton Rd.
The four face multiple charges, including recklessly discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent, injuring with intent, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
A shotgun was allegedly thrown from the vehicle during the chase and later recovered on a footpath in Elgin. Other items were also seized.
Detective Sergeant Steve Smith praised the information received from the public.
