KEY POINTS:
Detectives investigating the fatal drive-by shooting of a man in Waikato early yesterday have made an arrest.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Nicholls said a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with an assault on Desmond Francis Paddy Arahanga.
He appeared in Hamilton District Court today.
Mr Arahanga, 28,
was shot dead outside a McGowan St address in Waharoa, 7km north of Matamata, following an altercation at a residence in nearby Hedley St.
"Information on the assault came to light as a result of our inquiries into yesterday's fatal shooting," Mr Nicholls said.
"The offender appeared in court this morning where we applied for him to be remanded without plea.
"We're hopeful this arrest will go some way in lessening the tension prevailing in the Waharoa community at this time."
Police also today found a rifle close to the Hedley St address. It has been taken away for forensic testing.
The Hedley St residence was also set ablaze by a suspicious fire about 9pm yesterday, less than five hours after police finished a forensic examination of the scene.
Mr Nicholls said a separate investigation team had been set up to make inquiries about the fire.
Waharoa residents last night said they believed the house was torched in an act of revenge.
"The owner of the house wasn't there - he was on the run. This is connected. It will be like a revenge thing," a local told The New Zealand Herald.
Mr Nicholls also said police did not believe Mr Arahanga's death was a result of gang tensions and called for calm from residents.
"What we are dealing with is a single, very serious incident that has cost someone his life and now what appears to be a retaliatory suspicious fire.
"We would ask again that people make the police aware of any information they have on what occurred, not listen to rumours and speculation, and allow the investigation teams to carry out their enquiries."
Detective Inspector Peter Devoy said it appeared the shooting happened after Mr Arahanga had got into a disagreement with some people when at the Hedley St address.
When he left that property a car approached him and a group of other people outside the McGowan St house and someone from the car fired a volley of shots, a "number of which struck" Mr Arahanga.
"Driving off, the car has then returned to the McGowan St address a very short time later, pulled up and fired a second volley of shots. No one was injured in this second volley."
About 20 police staff are involved in the investigation, assisted by Auckland-based forensic experts.
- NZPA
