Two in court over Whangarei shooting incident

Armed police set up a roadblock after a shooting incident in Willow Place. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Two men appeared in Whangarei District Court today in relation to an incident that sparked a lock-down of a busy road in the city yesterday.

A 26-year-old man was charged with attempted murder and remanded in custody to appear in court on December 18. A 20-year-old man was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Gun shots were heard in the Maunu area of Whangarei just before 2pm yesterday. Police cordoned off Maunu Road from Western Hills Drive and Ngahere Drive.

Shortly after, Police located a vehicle with two men and a firearm and the two men were taken into custody.

A man with serious injuries unrelated to firearms was found on a property in Willow Place.

He remains in a serious condition in Whangarei Hospital.

Police said they believe the incident began with a dispute between two parties that escalated in to something more serious.

The investigation was continuing.