She said there were several police officers, armed with rifles, and at least two ambulances on the street which had been blocked off by police tape at both ends.
Arrest in nearby suburb
As the incident unfolded, heavily armed police detained several people in nearby Te Atatū Peninsula, a Herald journalist at the scene reported.
Police later said a man was taken into custody and was being spoken to by officers.
The man was detained by the armed offenders squad just after 4.30pm near the Holy Family Catholic Church on Taikata Rd in Te Atatū Peninsula.
Video showed the man lying on the ground, surrounded by armed officers and police dogs.
There were about seven armed officers on the street and the police Eagle helicopter was hovering almost directly above the area.
During the search for the shooter, armed police also stopped a man in a car and told him to exit the vehicle.
A video by a Herald reporter shows the man, wearing a red t-shirt, being instructed to kneel on the road with his hands behind his head.
Armed police in Auckland's Te Atatu after two people were killed in a west Auckland shooting today. Photo / Dean Purcell
Once officers had detained the man, they moved to open his car boot with weapons drawn. A Herald reporter at the scene said it didn't appear officers found much in the vehicle, except for some jerseys and shopping bags.
The man appeared to be calm during the incident and didn't resist police.
Later the man in the red shirt had his handcuffs removed and talked with police before he left the scene in his blue car.
When approached the Herald, he chose not to comment and drove away with another woman in the car.
A man in a red shirt was one of several detained by the armed police on Te Atatū Peninsula. Photo / Dean Purcell
Police said a homicide investigation was now under way - including a scene examination at the Barrys Rd address in Glendene.
Cordons will remain in place and locals would see an increased police presence in the area.
"Police understand this was an alarming incident for local residents and we would like to reassure the community that at this stage, we are not seeking anyone else," police said.
