Four arrested after airgun shooting rampage

Police have arrested four teenagers after an eight-day drive-by airgun shooting rampage in Mount Maunganui.

There have been around 14 victims since March 1 with eight people shot on Tuesday.

They included 65-year-old woman, a 70-year-old man walking with his grandson, and a man and woman sitting at a cafe.

Police say it was lucky those shot were not seriously injured by the air gun pellets, and the offenders placed themselves at high risk as responding police were armed with real pistols.

Two 16-year-old boys have been referred to police Youth Aid after being arrested and two 17-year-olds are due to appear in Tauranga District Court on charges relating to the unlawful use and discharge of a firearm.

- NZPA