Police believe body is Tolaga Bay killer

11.50am

Police have found the body of a man they believe responsible for a fatal East Coast shooting last night.

A man was killed by a shotgun blast about 7pm near a Tolaga Bay hotel, and police began searching for a man seen driving north on State Highway 35 shortly after the shooting.

A body, believed to be that of the shooter, was found this morning near the car in which he was seen fleeing the scene of the shooting, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott said.

The body and car were found by armed offenders squad members about 9.30am.

Police have not released the name of either man involved in the incident.

- NZPA