Waihī shooting: Armed police swarm Rosemont Rd after gun fired at car

Armed police descended on Waihī last night after a man allegedly fired a gun, with one shot striking a nearby vehicle.

Waikato district commander Superintendent Scott Gemmell said that at around 8.55pm police were alerted to a person threatening another with an alleged firearm at a premises on Rosemont Rd.

“Initial enquiries established the firearm had allegedly been discharged at around 8pm,” Gemmell said.

Police established a cordon around the area as a precaution.

“While this took place, the alleged offender discharged a firearm towards a vehicle within the cordon,” he said.

“Police have spoken with the occupant of the vehicle and there are no reported injuries.

“Staff were armed during this incident as a precaution, and the Armed Offenders Squad was in attendance.”

The police negotiation team engaged with the man before he was taken into custody at around 12.10am.

All cordons have since been stood down and Rosemont Rd has reopened to the public.

“Members of Waihī community may see an increased police presence in the area while our enquiries into the incident continue,” Gemmell said.

“I want to commend our attending staff on their response to this incident, negotiating a tricky situation to get a peaceful resolution.

“We understand these incidents can be distressing to those within our community and we thank them for their co-operation and understanding while this incident unfolded.”

The 40-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow, charged with unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a cannabis plant.