Teen arrested after suspected Christmas shooting in Christchurch

A teenager has been arrested after a person suffered a suspected gunshot wound in Christchurch on Christmas Day.

Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan said police received multiple calls shortly after 6.30pm that a male was being chased by others on Amyes Rd in Hornby.

Vaughan said there were reports one person had a firearm, before several vehicles in the area fled the scene.

“Police went to the hospital, where one person was found to have a suspected gunshot wound, which is not considered life-threatening,” he said.

Vaughan said officers also spoke to several other people at the hospital.

“Further inquiries led police to another location of interest, and scene guards remain there and at Amyes Rd.”

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told the Herald she arrived home before 7pm to several police cars with sirens on and a nearby home taped off.

She said police had also searched the front garden of another nearby home.

The neighbour said it was not the first time police had visited that block of houses.

Another neighbour recounted hearing “what sounded like the scraping of a bottom of a car” sound.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at an Amyes Rd property and was due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today on a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Vaughan said a police presence would remain in the areas while police “work to determine exactly what happened”.

Police urged anyone with information that may help who has not yet spoken to police to please contact officers on 105 and reference file number 251225/8572.