Gate crashers spark callout

Tauranga police guard property after family barbeque is sparked by armed offenders. Photo / Ross Brown

Family BBQ ends in mass brawl, shots fired.

Gate crashers who stormed a family barbecue sparked an armed offenders call-out on Friday night.

The family were said to be "in shock" after uninvited guests arrived at their property on Te Puna Rd, Tauranga, about 11.30pm on Friday and started a mass brawl.

Shots are understood to have been fired and three people were rushed to hospital after being assaulted.

One person suffered head and facial injuries as a result of the attack.

A neighbour heard fighting break out at a barbecue at the address in Te Puna Rd. "There was a lot of yelling and screaming going on," the neighbour said.

"The police arrived around midnight and I believe some people were taken away by ambulance."

An officer from Tauranga's Armed Offenders Squad was stationed at the front of the property yesterday.

At least two cars had windows smashed out - it was unclear if they had been fired upon or smashed with weapons.

An ambulance spokesman said three people were taken to hospital suffering minor to moderate injuries.

Sergeant Owen O'Brien said Tauranga police were called at 11.30pm Friday to deal with a large group of gate crashers at a family gathering. He said a large number of people had been assaulted, and two cars were badly damaged.

Police were still interviewing witnesses and victims last night.