All three shots missed and the man later surrendered.
Today, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a report on the incident, following a complaint about the police response.
It found the officer’s decision to shoot was justified under the Crimes Act.
The authority also reviewed the planning of the operation to locate the man, referred to as Mr X in the report, and the management of the subsequent siege.
It found the “satisfactory conclusion” of the stand-off, with Mr X surrendering and no further shots fired by police, indicated “a well-executed operation”, showing the benefits of a patient and planned approach to a potentially dangerous situation.
“In addition, families who were evacuated by police during the siege were complimentary of police actions in how they communicated with them and assured their safety.”
The authority was also satisfied that police actions to support the tenant of the house Mr X was hiding in were appropriate.
The incident began about 10.30pm on March 27 last year when Mr X was allegedly involved in a police pursuit in Stratford.
His vehicle was successfully spiked, however he allegedly shot at police and continued to flee.
He was tracked to a home in Achilles St about 12.45am and police surrounded the area.
Over the course of the day, cordons were established and the police negotiation team worked to bring the stand-off to an end.
It was alleged Mr X fired shots at police before he surrendered, however the IPCA was not able to reach a definitive conclusion as to whether he shot at police before police fired at him.
The report stated the man had fired shots into the kitchen ceiling and roof space during the siege.
Mr X was taken into custody around 3pm.
During the stand-off, schools in the area went into lockdown, some residents were asked to leave their homes, and a part of State Highway 3 was closed.
Family and friends of Mr X had gathered at the scene and were communicating with him as it unfolded.
They had also contacted Te Paati Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer for assistance in de-escalating the incident.
Mr X later appeared in Hāwera District Court.
Superintendent Scott Fraser, Central District Commander, acknowledged the IPCA’s findings.
He said the incident was lengthy and demanding and involved a firearm being allegedly presented at police and discharged.
“Our officers have to act in a way to protect not only themselves but the public. Due to the duration of this incident, specialist staff from within the district as well as outside of the district were called to assist.”
“I am incredibly proud of their efforts, in a situation that lasted for a significant period of time, the responding staff did everything they could to reach a resolution without any harm.
“The decision to discharge a firearm is one that no police officer ever wants to make. This further shows how unpredictable these jobs can be, within a matter of time, lives can be at risk.”
Tara Shaskey joined NZME in 2022 as a news director and Open Justice reporter. She has been a reporter since 2014 and previously worked at Stuff where she covered crime and justice, arts and entertainment, and Māori issues.
