Armed police grab smoking gunman

A two-hour police stand-off involving an armed man in a Rotorua house ended when he ventured outside for a cigarette.

Rotorua police armed offenders squad members surrounded a house in Gordon Rd about 10.30am yesterday. It is understood a woman and baby were inside the house with the 17-year-old gunman. The area was cordoned off and armed police hid in bushes in neighbouring properties. It is the third time in recent months Gordon Rd has been the centre of police attention, with both a shooting and a stabbing there.

Residents and visitors to the area said yesterday's drama was "pretty scary". Police told people to go inside and keep children away from windows. After two hours the stand-off ended when a teenager emerged from the property. It is understood he went out for a cigarette, threw it on the ground then gave himself up.

Acting Inspector Greg Sparrow said earlier witnesses had seen someone aim a firearm at another person through a car window.

It is alleged the person with the gun approached family members in the house. Some of those people left the property a short time later, Mr Sparrow said. Cordons were placed on Old Quarry Rd and at the top of Gordon Rd, stopping anyone entering the area until 12.30pm.

Police removed a shotgun from the property after the incident.

Claire Atkin was visiting a pregnant friend a few doors away from the house where the drama was unfolding.

She and her friend were going out for the day with their five children, aged from 2 to 6.

"We came outside and the kids ran to the gate. We didn't know what was going on but we saw these police with rifles and they told us to go inside and keep the children away from the windows. It was all pretty scary."

She said she heard a woman screaming and a baby crying about 10 minutes before the stand-off ended.

Isabella McLean, home from Australia for a funeral, said she was impressed with the way police handled the situation. Another man at the same property, who did not wish to be identified, said he saw a man in a van crash into a hedge. A short time later he saw another man run down the road with a young baby in his arms.

"This white car then left, picked him up and brought them back to the house.

"This place is getting a reputation for itself. We have had a stabbing and shooting only next door."

Thirteen-year-old Jacob Hughes was doing a paper run with two friends when they witnessed the end of the saga.

"I was thinking it must be something really serious. All the cops had guns and stuff and there's heaps of cop cars. It's pretty freaky - just dodgy around here. Anything could happen."

Another Gordon Rd resident said she witnessed most of what happened and was worried for her family.

"I saw police all arriving, I was worried. My sister's been living here for 18 years but after all the [stuff] that's going down here she's sold up and going.

"There was a lot of yelling, a baby crying, a woman screaming. There's always dramas happening down this road, especially with guns."

A 16-year-old boy who witnessed the arrest said he was concerned when he realised what was happening.

"When he [the alleged offender] got arrested he said 'cher brothers' and raised his eyebrows.

"Police pulled him down the road ... they had about five guns on him."

A 17-year-old was to appear in the Rotorua District Court today charged with presenting a firearm.

Police said further charges may be laid.