Gore shooting: Police are investigating after firearm reportedly discharged, two injured

Police are investigating a shooting in Gore last night, which left two people injured. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Gore residents are shaken up after a shooting in the town last night left two people injured.

Police were called to Aparima St in the Southland town just before 8pm after reports of a firearm being discharged.

“Two people are reported to have injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening,” police said last night.

The pair were flown to hospital, one with serious injuries and one with moderate injuries.

A cordon was set up, and a large-scale investigation was launched.

Police say gunshots were heard about 8pm yesterday. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland area commander, said this morning that several inquiries were underway to find the person or people involved. He appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“The offenders fled the scene before police arrived, and they are still outstanding,” he said.

“We know there will be people in the community who know who did this, and we’re asking them to help us.

“This is clearly a serious incident, and police are treating all factors with urgency.”

The block of flats where the incident happened last night. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Members of the public were urged to avoid the area, but police said they did not believe there was any risk to other members of the community.

Hato Hone St John responded to the incident with three ambulances, one operations manager and two helicopters.

There remains a visible police presence in the town this morning.

A police car is parked outside a block of five flats where the shooting happened.

Locals are shaken by the events.

“It’s unusual for Gore,” one resident told the Herald.

"It’s a slightly rougher area there. There used to be a bit of riff-raff at the campground, but that’s been shut down now."

Police are on the scene this morning. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Another resident said he was woken by his mother-in-law, who rang to tell them to stay inside.

“Something’s going on ... there’s a shooter out,” the man said he was told.

“That’s when I grabbed all the kids and locked up.”

He said it was “not the first time” police had been called to that block of flats. He believed they had been there at least five times this year.

Another neighbour said there had been “good and bad” people living in the flats at different periods.

Gore District Mayor Ben Bell said he was aware of the incident and reassured the community that it was an isolated event.

“We pride ourselves on being a safe community, and incidents like this are very, very rare. Police are responding appropriately on this case.”

A scene guard remained at the Aparima St property overnight, and a scene examination would be carried out this morning, Bowman said.

How to contact police

Information can be reported online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “update report”, or by calling 105. Use reference number 251217/1617. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111.