A police officer has been shot in South Auckland this morning.
Police say the officer was at a property in Chapel Rd, Flat Bush, conducting inquiries, when a firearm was discharged.
Armed officers are surrounding a Chapel Rd property where the gunman is understood to be hiding. Just before midday today, police appeared to be moving in on the house.
Several schools in the area have been locked down.
“One officer has been injured, however, at this early stage it appears the injuries are non-life threatening,” the police said.
Chapel Rd, between Baverstock and Stancombe Rds, has been cordoned off while police respond.
The public is advised to avoid the area.
The Salvation Army confirmed it was aware of an incident that occurred at or near one of its social housing properties.
“At this stage, we are still working to confirm the details of the situation, including any potential connection to our tenants or properties. Until we have a clearer understanding, we are unable to provide further comment.”
Flights to and from Auckland Airport have been disrupted as police fly their helicopter above the scene in Flat Bush, said a spokeswoman for Airways New Zealand - the country’s largest air navigation service provider
Workers on a nearby construction site have also been evacuated.
“They are trying to smoke him out,” they said.
Workers also said they heard a man yelling “they set me up! They set me up!” when police arrived on site this morning.
At least a dozen officers with rifles are manning the cordons and positioned within it.
It appeared police are surrounding one house of interest.
Police in helmets and full protective gear have their guns pointed towards the home.
Officers are attempting to urge those in homes around the property of interest to stay inside as residents gather on their decks, trying to see what’s going on.
Construction workers say they were right next to the house when police began to swarm, but they did not hear any gunshots.
A motorist driving through Botany Central towards Flat Bush shortly after 10am told the Herald they noticed several police cars in pursuit.
Not long after they reached the intersection of Chapel Rd and Accent Drive, they encountered armed police diverting traffic.
Two armed officers were standing guard and an ambulance was also at the scene.
A business owner on Baverstock Rd said she could hear a helicopter flying above and has had customers coming in wondering about the police presence outside.
An answering machine message for nearby Sancta Maria College says the school is in lockdown.
“Please refer to the website for further information. Please do not come on site,” the recorded message says.
Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School is also in lockdown. A message on the school’s website reads, “all students are safe and it is a precautionary measure”.
Baverstock Oaks Primary is also in lockdown.
A message on the school’s website says it is “due to [a] police-related incident off school grounds. All Children and staff are accounted for and are safely inside the buildings”.
Police said they would provide a further update when they were in a position to do so.
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