Police lay charges as man fights for life after shooting in Lower Hutt

A 25-year-old Taitā man has been charged after a man was shot in Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt, yesterday.

Police rushed to Hanson Grove at 9am on Sunday after reports of gunshots.

A 39-year-old man was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in critical condition.

Police have confirmed the suspect, who was arrested last night, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of a firearm.

“He appeared in court today and was remanded in custody, to reappear in the Hutt Valley District Court on August 14,” Detective Sergeant Martin Todd said in a statement.

Police have also seized a maroon-coloured Toyota MarkX station wagon, which Todd said would be forensically examined.

Police had earlier said a dark-coloured vehicle was seen fleeing at speed immediately after the shooting.

Anyone who saw this maroon station wagon on Sunday morning is being asked to contact police.

“We ask that anyone in or around the Hanson Grove area in Stokes Valley, the Sladden St area in Naenae, as well as Poole St in Taitā, between 7am and 10am on Sunday, August 3, review any CCTV or dashcam footage they have,” Todd said.

A visible police presence will remain in Stokes Valley as investigations continue.