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A gang conflict warrant is in place as two youths fight for their lives after being assaulted in gangland incidents in Napier and Hastings overnight.
The two incidents in the past 48 hours are believed to involve those linked to the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
Inspector Dean Cliffordsaid the warrant gives police special powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members and to seize firearms, weapons, and vehicles.
Inspector Caroline Martin urged the gangsters to stop the violence before anyone else got hurt. The police presence has been boosted around the area while officers make inquiries.
The first incident, a report of a firearm being discharged, happened on Riverbend Rd about 9.30pm Thursday.
Two people were taken to hospital with moderate injuries from an alleged assault.
A witness told the Hawke’s Bay Today he watched three armed men storm a house. He said he found a .22 bullet casing on his driveway shortly after the incident.
He said it’s the second time gunshots have echoed on his street, with a drive-by shooting incident occurring last Friday.
“My daughter sleeps in the front room [of our house] and we’re petrified,” he said.
“I haven’t slept since the drive-by last week.”
The targeted house belongs to Kāinga Ora. A Kāinga Ora spokesman said there had been firearms at one of its Napier properties recently.
“We’re aware of neighbours’ understandable concerns about their safety,” the spokesman said.
“We are staying in close contact with police about the situation and supporting them as much as we can in their efforts to keep our tenants and the local community safe.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
