Locked down: How the school communities reacted to reports of a shot

An Otumoetai College student said she and her fellow students thought they "might die" after shots were allegedly fired in the area this morning.

Students at Bellevue School and Otumoetai College were forced into lockdown after police said at least one shot was fired near classrooms at 8.45am.

The student said in an email she was freaking out.

"We all thought it was a drill at first because our principle [sic] told us we are having practice emergency situations this week and next week.

"It wasn't until our teacher told us it was real until everyone on our class was quiet. We all started freaking out until we heard the news that it was in Bellevue, and then we were just waiting for it to be over.

"Still a little traumatised. I was worried for my brothers who also go to the school. We thought we'd die for a while."

Distressed students were asked to stay locked in classrooms and out of sight until the lockdown was over.

Police said one adult was arrested after allegedly discharging a firearm on a property neighbouring Bellevue School.

A 44-year-old Tauranga woman was expected to appear in Tauranga court tomorrow. She is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and recklessly discharging a firearm.

Sergeant Scott Merritt said the incident unfolded about 8.40am this morning after armed officers responded to reports of two gunshots being heard.

Merritt said a shotgun was found at a Queen Rd property.

The incident resulted in lockdowns at Bellevue Primary and Otumoetai College for several hours this morning.

Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said he wanted to reassure the public.

"We understand this has been a distressing incident for the Bellevue community, especially the staff and students at nearby schools.

"I want to reassure the community that we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.

"The staff at Bellevue Primary School did a fantastic job of following lockdown protocols and ensuring the safety of staff and pupils."

Responding to concerns from some parents who worried the police did not respond fast enough, Paxton said police responded within 10 to 15 minutes.

Paxton said a police staff member was speaking with the school principal on site and was observing the address and relaying that information back to the station.

"With these kinds of things we need to ensure the safety of our staff, the community and those at the school."

Paxton said police have since recovered a shotgun from the address.

He thanked the community for their patience and support during their investigations this morning.

Jason Harnett who lives next to the school said he had two boys, aged 10 and 6, who attended Bellevue School.

"I went to school this morning and I heard one shot. It sounded like a gunshot but I thought someone must have banged into a car or something."

He said about 10 minutes later he heard a second gunshot.

"To me straight away I knew it was a shotgun.

"I was a bit worried so I went down to the school and straight away I was told the school was on lockdown."

Milly Fives, a Bellevue School pupil, was at school when the incident happened.

"The teacher said to hide behind the board and hide under the tables," she said.

"We thought it was fake but it wasn't."

Milly said she was scared but kept herself busy by drawing on a whiteboard.

She said some pupils were scared but others did not think it was real.

Mary Fives, Milly's mother, said she got a text from a friend asking of she had received a call from the school.

She was stuck at work and started to worry about her child at the school.

Mary said when she picked up her daughter from school at about lunchtime she had noticed a change in the pupils' behaviour.

"They are all really quiet... it is different."

Paige Abernethy lives near Bellevue School. Photo / Zoe Hunter

Paige Abernethy who lives opposite the school said she saw what had happened on Facebook this morning and went outside to have a look.

She said there was only one police car before others turned up about half an hour later.

"It is freaky. You don't expect this kind of thing to happen.

"It was way too close to home especially since my kids play outside."

Paulette Hunt, a parent at the school, said she turned up to drop her daughter off to find police cars outside and the principal speaking to officers.

She kept her children with her and drove off to drop her youngest at kindy.

Hunt said she then visited a relative on Anne Rd and said there were police officers around the school border.

A reporter spoke to her just after she had dropped her daughter off for the rest of the school day.

She gave her "a big kiss and a cuddle" before dropping her off.

A man who lived directly next to the school said he heard the gunshots and warned the caretaker.

"I asked, 'Did you hear that?' And he said he did," said the man, who only wished to be named Simon, said.

"It was definitely a shotgun blast. It was a loud boom, real loud."

Simon said he then heard the principal on the loudspeaker warning everyone to get inside.

"Within seconds the school was in action. Hats off to the staff there."

He said he had lived next to the school for about five years and said "nothing ever happens like this".

"Usually you hear kids laughing ... this doesn't happen here it is a really quiet neighbourhood."

A parent who wanted to be known as Dorne said in the 20 years she has had her five
children attending Bellevue School and others in the area, this is the first time anything like this has happened.