Two arrests in Kapiti bar shooting

Two men will appear in court today over the shooting of a man who broke up a scuffle at a Kapiti bar yesterday. File photo

Two men will appear in court today over the shooting of a man who broke up a scuffle at a Kapiti bar yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Ian Martin of Kapiti police said the man stepped in to help security staff break up an argument between who two local men about 1am.

Later, while standing with friends outside the Paraparaumu Fire Station, a car pulled up on the other side of the road.

The man recognised the driver as one of the two men involved in the bar incident, and the pair exchanged words before a passenger got out of the car and pointed a gun at him.

After trying unsuccessfully to wrestle the gun out of the passenger's hands, the passenger returned to the car, which drove off towards the Kapiti Lights.

The man chased the car on foot before it stopped again and the passenger shot at him, causing a superficial hand wound.

Two men were arrested last night after police searched two houses, one in Paraparaumu and one in Maungaraki, recovering a 303 rifle that Mr Martin said was believed to have been used in the shooting.

Both men have been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and were held in custody overnight.

They were due to appear in Porirua District Court at 9am. Police have opposed bail.