A man has died after a firearms incident in Palmerston North today.
A homicide investigation has now been launched and enquiries are ongoing to find the shooter.
The Herald understands the incident is gang-related.
Police said they were called to the Croydon Rd address about 2.35pm after a report of a gun being fired.
One person was found with critical injuries and died at the scene a short time later, police said.
Cordons will remain in place at the property and a scene examination will be carried out, police said.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle and an operations manager responded to the incident.
Police said they would like to hear from anyone in the area who saw anything suspicious around the time of the incident.
If you can help, please call 105 and quote event number P055583482.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
This incident is the latest in a series of shootings across the country in the past month, and the third this week where a man has died.
Just before midnight on Thursday, one man was shot in the head and another in the abdomen during an altercation on Auckland’s Queen Street.
Auckland police launched a homicide investigation after one of the men died in hospital on Friday.
Police were initially called following reports of a fight between a group of people on the corner of Fort St and Queen St.
Police earlier revealed up to four shots were fired during the altercation before the gunman fled the scene on a Lime scooter.
A warrant was issued to arrest 24-year-old Dariush Talagi on Saturday in relation to the homicide. He is still on the run.
He has distinctive facial tattoos.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said there was no risk to the public, but Talagi was “considered dangerous”.
“Our message to Dariush would be to hand himself in, or for anyone who sees him to call us immediately,” he said.
Anyone who sees Talagi or knows of his whereabouts should call police on 111 and quote file number 230804/3339, Bolton said.
The incident came just two weeks after and barely two blocks away from where 24-year-old Matu Reid opened fire at a construction site in Auckland’s CBD, killing two men and injuring numerous others, including a police officer.
The 24-year-old was on home detention for domestic violence charges when he entered the high-rise construction site at 7.22am on July 20, armed with a pump-action shotgun.
He worked his way through the building, shooting Solomona To’ot’oo and Tupuga Sipiliana dead.
Reid exchanged gunfire with police before they found him dead in a lift shaft from self-inflicted injuries.
That incident shut down the Auckland CBD area around Britomart for much of the day. There is no suggestion the two incidents are related.
Another homicide investigation was launched last night after a man with gunshot wounds took himself to Auckland Hospital yesterday afternoon but later died.
Police were called to Taurima Reserve in Pt England about 2.40pm on Saturday following several reports of disorder and sounds of gunshots.
Police said they believe those involved are known to each other.
“We would like to reassure people that this was an isolated incident, with no ongoing risk believed to be posed to the wider public,” they said in a statement.
“The Point England community will notice a greater police presence while investigations continue.”
“Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the immediate area at the time. You can call us via 105. Please reference job number P05557214.”
Armed police were guarding Middlemore Hospital overnight after another person showed up with a gunshot wound. Police are today investigating whether it’s linked to the homicide in Point England.