Police were called to a Waitārere Beach address following reports of a gun being stashed in a shed without a licence, hours before they returned to find a man dead and three others critically injured with gunshot wounds.
Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham expects police to take several days to complete a scene examination of the rural property where the incident took place.
The Herald understands the man who died was 60-year-old Benjamin Timmins, while the injured were a woman, 46, and two young men, aged 17 and 21.
Grantham said police were called to the Waitārere Beach Rd property around 7.15pm on January 13, after someone reported discovering what they believed to be a firearm on the property.
Police located and seized a dismantled firearm, firearms parts and ammunition.
“The items were seized with the intent of forensically examining them and considering any firearms-related charges that might be applicable, given that nobody residing at the property was the holder of a firearms licence,” Grantham said.
Emergency services responded to a reported shooting at the property around five hours later. Police came across a confronting scene, and Grantham commended those involved for their efforts.
Police believe a child – the fifth person found at the property unharmed and who is now being looked after by relatives – raised the alarm.
“The call we received shortly after midnight was what we call a ‘non-speech emergency call’ – that is, the caller called 111 but did not speak. However, we believe the call was made by the child at the address,” a spokesperson said.
Police also confirmed they’d responded to a family harm-related incident at the property last week.
A person was arrested and charged with assault on a person in a family relationship on January 9, and was due to appear in court yesterday.
“As we work to understand how and why this tragic incident occurred, the information gathered in the earlier visit to the address by our officers will form part of our enquiries,” Grantham said.
“I know the way events unfolded that night will weigh heavily on all those involved, but I’m confident the officers who responded to that earlier call did everything correctly and appropriately, based on the information they had to hand.”
The local mayor earlier described the shooting as a “tragic family incident”.
The man’s body remains at the scene, and will be removed today ahead of a post-mortem examination tomorrow.
“Locals can expect to see a police presence in the area for the time being,” Grantham said.
All three injured were taken to Wellington Hospital in critical condition, and police said there were no updates on their conditions at this stage.
Neighbours could today be seen leading horses away from the property’s paddock to care for them.
The Herald spoke to one neighbour, who said the family were nice and that they had never noticed any issues at the property.
They described the collection of homes along the road as a community that looked out for each other, saying Timmins was known for mowing lawns on roadside berms for neighbours.
On the night of the incident, the neighbour estimated around 40 emergency vehicles and two helicopters were at the scene.
This morning, after conferring with police, local residents went to the aid of two horses in a paddock next to the house, cutting a locked gate with bolt cutters and halting traffic to lead them down the road to a nearby paddock on another property.
Timmins’ sister Rachael O’Grady told the Herald her brother was a former soldier who had since turned to farming.
She said he worked closely with animals and bred cats and dogs, including ragdolls and golden retrievers.
“Ben was a broken man,” she said.
O’Grady said the 60-year-old was known as a “staunch peacekeeping man” who had previously spent time in Iraq.
“He was commended for rescuing hostages,” she said.
At the time of the interview with the Herald, O’Grady said she was on the way to identify her brother’s body.
In a tribute post on Facebook, O’Grady described Timmins as “my rock, my friend, my protector and above all ... my brother”.
“I will miss him,” she wrote.
“Loved friend, father, uncle and brother. Trickster, funny fella, all round solid gold.”
Emergency services, including police, rescue helicopters and ambulances, were called to the property about 12.40am on Wednesday, after a 111 call from the settlement north of Levin.
The shooting left three people with life-threatening injuries.
Timmins was found dead at the Waitārere Beach Rd address and police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Inspector Grantham said officers were at the property within eight minutes.
“Responding officers were told that a firearm had been discharged at the address and, when they arrived, four people were found with wounds that are consistent with being shot,” he said.
“The quick response by police likely saved the three victims’ lives.
“Our officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness.”
The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two men flown to Wellington Hospital. She has since been transferred to Wellington Hospital as well and all three remain in a critical condition.
“Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support.”
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