Attempted murder charge laid

A man who sparked an Armed Offender Squad callout has appeared in court.

One of two men arrested in relation to an Armed Offenders' Squad callout in Whangarei is facing a charge of attempted murder.

Harley Whaanga, 26, of Willow Pl, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday and did not enter a plea to charges of attempted murder, one of theft of a motor vehicle and another of arson.

On Tuesday police responded to reports of gun shots on Willow Pl and cordoned off Maunu Road from Western Hills Drive and Ngahere Drive about 1.50pm. The police investigation continues but it is believed the incident started as a dispute between two parties and escalated into more serious violence.

Judge Duncan Harvey remanded Whaanga in custody to appear in the High Court at Whangarei on December 18 for a bail application.

A second person, Liam Lomas, 20, is facing one charge of unlawful possession of a pistol. He did not enter a plea and was released on bail to reappear in Whangarei District Court on December 18.

It is believed a man lay injured on the front lawn of an empty house for over an hour before about six AOS members carried him out on a stretcher. The injuries were not firearm related but were believed to be the result of being injured by a vehicle. The man who was moved to a ward yesterday at Whangarei Hospital was in a stable condition.

The scene at Willow Place yesterday was quiet with few cars on the road and residents noticeably shaken by the drama but reluctant to comment.

When approached by the Northern Advocate the resident who looked after the injured man said he had given a statement to police and did not want to comment further. Those at the house the shots were believed to be fired from also declined to be interviewed. During the incident Whangarei Hospital was in lockdown until about 4.45pm and students who lived in that area remained at local schools.