Gunman on the loose following shooting

Scene guards were stationed at the property, and an investigation was underway. Photo / File

An armed offender is on the loose after shooting a man in a Lower Hutt address, leaving him with serious injuries, early this morning.

Police are seeking gunman who arrived at a house on Reynolds St, fired a shot, and then fled the scene just after midnight, police said.

The injured man was taken to Wellington Hospital, and was in a stable condition after undergoing surgery.

There were several other occupants in the house but no one else was injured, police said.

A neighbour who didn't want to be named said a young family lived at the house with two children under the age of five.

He said him and his family weren't home when shooting happened but came back about 12.30am when an ambulance arrived.

He said they were a nice neighbours and hadn't lived at the address for long.

He said people "come in and out of the house" often and they had a barbecue at their house two days ago.

Another neighbour said she was a light sleeper and she didn't hear anything.

The house is divided into two flats. She said she has heard arguing in the past but wasn't sure if the disagreement was between the two flats.

Scene guards were stationed at the property, and an investigation was underway.

A policeman is currently on scene and the house is cordoned off.

An armed policeman with a rifle was also guarding the back of the property.