A man has been taken into custody after a three-hour police standoff at a South Auckland property where an officer was shot this morning.
Police say an officer was at a property in Chapel Rd, Flat Bush, conducting inquiries around 9.30am when a firearm was discharged.
Multiple loud cracks rang out about 1pm and shattering glass was heard as the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) moved onto the Chapel Rd property they had been surrounding.
A man in a singlet and shorts was handcuffed and seen being taken into custody shortly afterwards.
An extremely harsh chemical was also sprayed in the air, causing the crowd watching on to disperse and to suffer eye irritations.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray confirmed a man has been taken into custody in Flat Bush this afternoon.
The police officer who was shot this morning had been discharged from hospital by 1.30pm.
Firefighters and an ambulance were at the scene.
A piece of equipment, looking similar to an air compressor, was seen at the property by firefighters.
Several schools in the area were locked down during the standoff.
Chapel Rd, between Baverstock and Stancombe Rds, was cordoned off during the police operation.
The public was 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.
“We are waiting for detailed information from our people on the ground and are cooperating fully with the police and emergency services.
“The Salvation Army is concerned about the situation, particularly the police officer involved, our tenants, the neighbours and the impact on businesses and schools around the area.”
A spokeswoman for Airways New Zealand – the country’s largest air navigation service provider – said flights to and from Auckland Airport were disrupted after police flew a helicopter above the scene in Flat Bush.
The airport’s website showed at least nine international arrivals were delayed this afternoon, as well as six domestic departures and 18 arrivals.
An Auckland Airport spokesperson confirmed some flights experienced delays today due to a police operation.
“We recommend customers please get in touch with their airlines for any travel updates.”
Workers on a nearby construction site were also evacuated during the standoff.
“They are trying to smoke him out,” one said earlier today.
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 have been manning the cordons and positioned within it.
Officers had been attempting to urge those in homes around the property of interest to stay inside as residents gathered on their decks.
Construction workers say they were right next to the house when police began to swarm earlier today, 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.
Not long after they reached the intersection of Chapel Rd and Accent Drive, they encountered armed police diverting traffic.
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.
Several nearby schools that went into precautionary lockdowns this morning have now lifted them.
Botany Downs Secondary College, Orminston Senior College and Sancta Maria College are no longer in lockdown.
Several schools told parents that a notice with further information would be sent to families.
Police said they would provide a further update when they were in a position to do so.
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